Dec. 20, 2003

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Odartey Blankson had 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead UNLV past Auburn 82-69 Saturday night.

UNLV had five players score in double digits, including Romel Beck with 13 and Demetrius Hunter with 12.

The Rebels built a 60-44 lead, their largest, with 11:48 left in the game.

The Tigers cut the lead to 72-66 with 2:59 left, but came no closer.

Brandon Robinson and Ronny Lemelle had 15 points apiece for Auburn. Nathan Watson added 11.

UNLV (6-3) won despite 5-of-21 shooting from 3-point range.

Auburn (7-1), who lost for the first time in its first road game of the season, was 6-of-15 from 3-point range.

J.K. Edwards and Jerel Blassingame both had 11 points for the Rebels, who shot 29-of-57 from the field for 50.9 percent.

Auburn was 25-of-51 for 49 percent from the field.

UNLV also led in rebounding, 41-27.

Auburn led by three points twice in the first half, the last at 12-9.

The Rebels then took the lead at 15-13 with 10:20 until halftime and led the rest of the way, eventually building a 34-21 lead, their largest of the half.

UNLV led 39-32 at halftime.