Dec. 29, 2007
Box Score
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Runnin' Rebels of Nevada-Las Vegas were too much for the Owls as UNLV defeated Kennesaw State, 78-55, in the first round of the Duel in the Desert Classic at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday evening.
The Owls (2-9) were able to stay close with UNLV early, before dropping their fourth consecutive game. The Runnin' Rebels saw their season mark improve to 9-3.
Kennesaw State scored the first four points of the game and led 6-2 before UNLV rattled off nine consecutive points to build a 13-6 advantage. A three-pointer by Keonte Keith, who scored seven of the Owls first nine points, cut the Rebels lead to a basket with 14:11 left in the half.
The Kennesaw State defense held UNLV without a bucket for nearly three minutes while baskets by J.D. Pollock and Kelvin McConnell brought the Black and Gold within two points at 20-18.
However, the Owls would score just four points in the final seven-plus minutes of the half as UNLV outscored Kennesaw State 23-4, to take a 43-22 lead into halftime. The Owls were held without a field goal for the final 6:35 of the half.
The Rebels increased their lead to as many as 32 points and never led by less than 19 points in the second half as they came up with their second straight win.
The Owls stayed close to UNLV in the second half, outscored 35-33, as KSU committed just eight turnovers and held the Rebels to just 38 percent shooting from the field.
McConnell led Kennesaw State with 11 points and was the only KSU player to hit double-figures. Keith scored nine points while Pollock and Jonathan Whipple each scored eight points.
Joe Darger scored 18 points to lead all scorers. UNLV had three players score in double-figures as Wink Adams scored 13 points and Matt Shaw added 12.
Kennesaw State will play Minnesota on Saturday evening with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m. eastern standard time. The Owls will then conclude the tournament on Sunday afternoon when they battle Nicholls State at 4:30 p.m. EST.
