Jan 2, 2003

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Dalron Johnson scored 21 points to lead UNLV past Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne 74-62 Thursday.

Johnson was 7-for-10 from the field and had seven rebounds.

Marcus Banks added 20 points for UNLV (9-2), making 12-of-13 free throws. He also had eight steals and five assists.

IPFW (2-13) jumped to a 7-2 lead before the Rebels responded, taking the lead for good at 11-9 with 12:41 to go in the first half.

UNLV eventually pulled away, building its largest lead of the half at the break, 41-24.

In the first half, IPFW committed 16 turnovers and UNLV had 12 steals, six from Banks. IPFW finished the game with 27 turnovers and the Rebels had 17 steals on the night.

In the second half, the Rebels built their largest lead of the game, 58-33, with 12:26 left. But IPFW went on an 18-3 run, cutting the score to 61-51 with 7:47 left.

IPFW got no closer as UNLV's lead grew as high as 16 with 4:28 left, 71-55.

The Mastadons' David Simon led all scorers with 23 points, and had 11 rebounds.