Feb 25, 2003

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Marcus Banks scored 31 points Monday night to lead UNLV to a 74-70 victory over Air Force.

Banks reached the 30-point mark for the seventh time in his career as the Rebels (17-8 overall, 6-5 Mountain West Conference) won for the fourth time in their last five games.

UNLV led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but Air Force (11-13, 2-9) was accurate from 3-point range and trimmed the deficit to 55-52 with 6:03 to play. That's when Banks took over as the senior scored 12 points in the final six minutes, including nine straight. Banks scored a season high 35 points Dec. 12 against Nevada-Reno.

Dalron Johnson added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Rebels. Jermaine Lewis also had 15 points, all of which came in the first half, including three 3-pointers.

The Falcons were hot from the field early, making their first seven shots and not missing until the 9:12 mark of the first half.

Tim Keller and Joel Gerlach each had 21 points in the losing effort, going a combined 9-of-12 on 3-pointers. Tom Bellairs added 11 points and 12 rebounds.

UNLV's Banks was 11-of-14 from the line, scoring in double figures for the 21st time this season. He is eight points shy of 1,000 for his career.