Odds Long in Las VegasBy Steve Porter

Youngstown State’s final pre-conference game was at UNLV. Following last season when the Runnin’ Rebels sported a 33-3 record and were ranked #3 in the nation, this season UNLV was 4-4 coming into the game. But three of their losses were to #17 Wake Forest, #22 Kansas, and Duke and two wins were over #4 Maryland and UCLA. The Runnin’ Rebels were 4-0 at home. SG Tim Daniels was scoring 22.9 ppg and C Antonio Boyce was averaging 17.3 ppg.
The Penguins hung with UNLV early, but good outside shooting by the Runnin’ Rebels allowed them to gradually pull away and open as much as a 10 point lead as C Will O’Neil and PG Pat White got into foul trouble limiting their time on court. But YSU fought back late in the half to close the half trailing by just a 42-40 score. C Andre Lilly scored 9 and SG/SF James Asbury added 8. But UNLV’s SG Tim Daniels scored 13 plus pulled down 6 rebounds.
James Asbury buried an early 3 in the 2nd half to put YSU on top 43-42. UNLV recaptured the lead but the score stayed close and the lead exchanged hands several times. But late in the half, the experience of the Runnin’ Rebels paid dividends and they gradually pulled away to defeat the Penguins 78-65. While Youngstown State hit more FG’s, UNLV knocked down 11 three’s compared to just 1 by the Penguins. UNLV also scored 9 more points at the line than did the Penguins.
SG/SF James Asbury scored 13 and had 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block. C Will O’Neil scored 12 and pulled down 6 boards. PF Donnie Williams hit for 11 and C Andre Lilly added 10. UNLV’s scoring was topped by SG Tim Daniels who finished with 17 plus had 10 rebounds.
“We gave it a good try and put a scare into UNLV but UNLV’s home crowd had an affect and we ran out of gas at the end of the game,” said Coach KD Durst.
Youngstown State finished pre-conference play with a 7-2 record.