Feb. 12, 2003

Box Score

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Jermaine Lewis led UNLV with 24 points, including 7-9 three-pointers, in a 79-64 Mountain West Conference victory over San Diego State Tuesday night.

Coming into the game, Lewis only was converting 26 percent (19-74) of his three-pointers for the season.

Marcus Banks added 21 points for the Runnin' Rebels.

Mike Mackell (22 points) and Tony Bland (21 points) led San Diego State.

The visiting Rebels dominated the first half and held a 43-27 lead at halftime. In the half, UNLV shot 52 percent from the field compared to San Diego State's 34 percent.

UNLV (14-7, 3-4 Mountain West Conference) relied on a 23-9 run in the final 8:29 of the first half to put the Aztecs in desperate straights beginning the second half.

San Diego State (12-8, 3-4) however, came out quickly in the early stages of the second half. Buoyed by its tough pressure defense, the Aztecs went on an 8-2 run in the first 2:27 of the second half to cut the UNLV lead to 45-35 with 17:33 to play.

The Aztecs pulled to within 60-55 with 8:24 to play after Bland converted a lay-up.

The San Diego State surge ended abruptly as Lewis hit another three and Banks scored consecutive baskets to give UNLV a 67-55 lead with 6:23 to play.

Lewis connected on a three-pointer again with 4:29 to play to give the Rebels a 72-57 lead that would seal the victory.