Nov. 24, 2008
CLICK-Audio Photo Gallery by Ivan Pierre Aguirre
Final Stats
UTEP-UNLV Box Score (PDF) 
Wink Adams scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half as UNLV overcame a three-point deficit at the midway point in an 80-67 win over UTEP on Monday in El Paso.
The Runnin' Rebels (5-0) outscored the Miners 45-29 in the second half after trailing 38-35 at the break. UTEP suffered its first loss in three games.
"I told our guys that one game, win or lose, this early does not make or break a season," UTEP coach Tony Barbee said. "But I'm disappointed because of how hard our guys prepared.
"I talked to our guys before the game about handling adversity," Barbee said. "One of the examples I gave them was how do you handle jumping out to a big lead and the other team comes back? We didn't handle that adversity well tonight."
The Miners got off to a great start, twice building 13-point leads, the last at 32-19 on a layup by Randy Culpepper.
However, UNLV outscored the Miners 16-6 to close out the half, and was in control after taking a 40-38 lead early in the second period on a three pointer by Joe Darger. It was the Runnin' Rebels' first lead since it was 8-7.
The Miners closed the gap to one point three times after that, the last at 53-52 on a Claude Britten dunk with 11:48 to play. Oscar Bellfield answered with a three pointer to extend UNLV's lead to 56-52, and the Miners couldn't get closer than three points the rest of the way.
Tre'Von Willis added 17 points for the Runnin' Rebels, Rene Rougeau had 11 and Bellfield chipped in with 10.
Stefon Jackson scored 20 points for the Miners, but he was 0-for-6 from the field in the second half. Randy Culpepper added 11 points, but he also struggled in the second half, hitting just one of nine shots.
"What has to happen when they take away your first or second option and you have open looks, guys need to be prepared to shoot the ball," Barbee said.
UNLV shot 51 percent to UTEP's 40.4 percent. The Miners hit just 31.8 percent of their shots in the second half and finished 16-for-27 from the line to the Runnin' Rebels' 20-of-26.
UTEP will participate in the 76 Classic Nov. 27-30 in Anaheim, and will open the tournament against 2008 NCAA Tournament team St. Mary's (3-0) at noon MST on Thanksgiving Day. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.
