Box Score

March 8, 2002

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Dalron Johnson scored 21 points as UNLV beat Utah 76-70 Friday night to advance to the finals of the Mountain West Conference tournament.

The third-seeded Rebels (20-9) will meet No. 5 San Diego State in Saturday night's finals. The Aztecs earlier beat top-seeded Wyoming, 70-69.

The Rebels led 62-61 with 3:50 remaining when Johnson scored and, after a Utah turnover, hit two free throws to put the Rebels ahead 66-61 with 3:03 left.

After another Utah miss, Jevon Banks drove the length of the floor for a layup to put UNLV ahead 68-61. The Utes cut the lead to 65-68 when Jeff Johnsen was fouled after making a 3-pointer and then made the free throw for a 4-point play.

But Vince Booker hit a 3-pointer for the Rebels to extend the lead to 71-65 with 1 minute remaining. The Utes didn't get closer than five the rest of the way.

Marcus Banks and Jevon Banks each scored 12 points for the Rebels.

Nick Jacobsen led Utah (21-8) with 16 points and Phil Cullen added 14 and Travis Spivey 11.

UNLV jumped to an early 20-3 lead with 12:58 remaining as Johnson scored seven points and Richardson five. Utah missed seven of its first eight shots.

Britton Johnsen hit a 3-pointer to bring the Utes back to within 20-6. Cullen hit two 3-pointers and added two free throws to help Utah cut the lead to 29-25 at the half. The Rebels didn't score for 4:30 down the stretch, missing five straight shots and turning the ball over once.

Utah took its first lead of the game at 40-39 of the second half and held a 43-41 lead when coach Rick Majerus was called for a technical foul after protesting a called foul. Johnson made two free throws to tie the game at 43 and then Marcus Banks converted two free throws to give UNLV a 45-43 lead with 10:19 remaining.