Dec. 12, 2004
Final Stats
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
Associated Press Writer
AUBURN, Ala. - Jerel Blassingame scored nine of his 20 points in overtime as UNLV rallied from an 11-point deficit to beat Auburn 91-87 on Sunday.
Louis Amundson had career-highs of 22 points and 22 rebounds. Odartey Blankson added 21 and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Runnin' Rebels.
The Tigers (6-3) cut the lead to 86-84 with an Ian Young 3-pointer. But Blassingame added a couple of free throws and Blankson hit a layup to put the game out of reach.
The Runnin' Rebels (3-3), who have won four straight games over Auburn, outrebounded the Tigers 63-35 and had more points in the paint with a 54-34 edge.
After Auburn lost a double-digit lead, Auburn tied the game at 75 with a Brett Howell 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining.
The Tigers finished the first half with a 41-40 lead, highlighted by a Nathan Watson steal and layup. Auburn took a five-point lead at 4:32 in the first half when Young hit a 3 for its largest lead.
Even though UNLV shot 2-for-16 from beyond the arch in the first half, they used their height advantage in the paint, outscoring the Tigers 32-14.
The Rebels also ended a four game road trip, finishing with a 2-2 record.
Tony Douglas had 21 points and Nathan Watson added 16 for Auburn. Quinnel Brown scored 14 and had nine rebounds for the Tigers.
