Jan. 12, 2004

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nick Jacobson scored a game-high 27 points, including two free throws with 9 seconds left, to seal the win and lift Utah past UNLV 72-67 in the Mountain West Conference Opener for both teams Monday night.

Jacobson went 8-of-8 from the free-throw line and was 3-of-7 from 3-point range. Also for Utah (13-3), Tim Frost scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field.

For UNLV (9-4), Odartey Blankson and Jerel Blassingame scored 17 points apiece. J.K. Edwards added 14 for the Rebels.

For the game, Utah committed 29 fouls, UNLV 22.

The Utes, who out-rebounded the Rebels 32-22, built a 42-32 lead with 14:04 remaining, until the Rebels eventually tied it at 63 and 65 with 2:12 left. But they never took the lead. The Utes led for most of the first half, building their biggest advantage at 31-25 with 1:09 until halftime. Earlier, the lead changed hands seven times before Utah firmly took the lead at 13-12, with 12:47 left.