Dec 6, 2003
Final Stats
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Odartey Blankson had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead UNLV to a 78-61 victory over Loyola Marymount Saturday night at Gersten Pavilion.
Jerel Blassingame added 19 points for UNLV (5-1).
Loyola Marymount took a brief 41-40 lead in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Runnin' Rebels' defense and transition game were too much for the Lions down the stretch.
The Runnin' Rebels outscored the Lions 26-11 in the final seven minutes.
The loss was the first of the season for Loyola Marymount (5-1), which got 21 points from Sherman Gay and 14 from Charles Brown.
The Runnin' Rebels shot 47.1 from the field and 84.6 percent from the free-throw line, while Loyola shot 38 percent from the field and made 73.3 from the line.
UNLV made 8-of-21 3-point attempts, with Blassingame and Romel Beck accounting for three 3-pointers apiece.
The Runnin' Rebels held a 37-34 lead at halftime, led by Blankson's 10 points.
UNLV got away to a 25-12 lead eight minutes before the half, but saw that margin trimmed to two points with 5:16 remaining when two free throws by Loyola Marymount's Keith Kincade made it 30-28.
