COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team suffered its first loss in Mountain West play, falling to Air Force 106-88 Wednesday night at Clune Arena. The Runnin' Rebels (9-7, 3-1) had won three straight and were off to their best start to a conference season in 20 years entering the contest.
Air Force (7-10, 2-3) had six players score in double figures, led by Ryan Swan's 22 points.
Three UNLV players tallied double figures in scoring with sophomore guard Amauri Hardy leading the way with a career- and game-high 23 points.
THE TURNING POINT: Air Force used a 10-0 run over 2.5 minutes to take a 26-15 lead midway through the first half. UNLV cut the deficit several times throughout the game, but could never get closer than six points.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Falcons shot 64.7 percent in the second half (22 of 34) and finished the game at 59.7 percent (40 of 67), which is a season high for a UNLV opponent.
NOTES:
- Sophomore forward Mbacke Diong missed the game because of an injury suffered at New Mexico in UNLV's previous game.
- Freshman forward Joel Ntambwe scored 18 points, marking his ninth straight double-digit scoring game.
- UNLV has now lost four of its last five games at Clune Arena. Its win over that span came last year.
- Air Force improved to 12-12 all-time vs. UNLV at home.
- Hardy made 5 of 8 3-pointers.
- Hardy and senior guard
Noah Robotham combined for 12 assists and no turnovers.
- UNLV shot 51.5 percent (17 of 33) from the field and 66.7 percent (8 of 12) on 3-pointers in the second half.
- Air Force led 48-34 at halftime.
- Air Force led in points in the paint 56-29 and its bench outscored UNLV's 50-27.
- UNLV was out-rebounded for the first time this season, 35-31.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,055 straight games.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV returns home to the Thomas & Mack Center to host San Jose State on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-FANS (3267) or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.