Jan. 23, 2001

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Jermaine Lewis scored a career-high 24 points as UNLV handed first-place New Mexico its first Mountain West Conference loss, 80-72, Monday night.

The Rebels (11-7, 2-2) jumped to a 36-27 first half lead despite playing without their two leading scorers, Kaspars Kambala and Trevor Diggs. Kambala, averaging 17.3 points per game, and Diggs (13.6), were benched for disciplinary reasons and didn't get into the game until the second half. They combined for only 16 points.

Rueben Douglas of New Mexico led all scorers with a career-high 27 points and teammate Eric Chattfield had 10.

The Rebels' Sylvester Dotson also scored in double figures with 11 points, as did teammate Vince Booker with 10. UNLV forward Dalron Johnson was the leading rebounder with 11.

UNLV led by as many as 13 points late in the second half before the Lobos (12-4, 2-1) cut the lead to 76-70 with 24 seconds remaining.

The Rebels sealed the victory by making four straight free throws at the game's end.