UNLV finally solves Utes

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If he felt some pressure in his first postseason game, UNLV freshman Anthony Marshall had no problem hiding it.

The former Mojave High School star showed the poise of a veteran, and the all-around effort he produced might be enough to help the Rebels earn at least an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament.

Of course, the first goal on the list is to win the Mountain West Conference Tournament, and UNLV took a step in that direction by running past Utah 73-61 in the quarterfinals Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Marshall led the Rebels’ charge with 13 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

"I didn’t really feel any pressure going into this game. I just felt like it was another basketball game we had to win," he said.

Third-seeded UNLV (24-7) advanced to face No. 2 seed Brigham Young (29-4) in the semifinals at 8:30 p.m. today. The teams split their regular-season series with each winning at home.

Top-seeded New Mexico and No. 4 San Diego State also advanced and will meet at 6 p.m.

Junior guard Tre’Von Willis also scored 13 points for the Rebels, who blew open a game that was tight early in the second half.

UNLV used a 10-0 run to create separation against the Utes, who cut a four-point halftime deficit to 31-30 on Carlon Brown’s three-point play.

During the pivotal stretch, Marshall’s steal and assist to Chace Stanback for a dunk put the Rebels on top 39-30.

"Anthony was great," Willis said. "I don’t think I can put it in words right now, especially for his first postseason game. I felt he played really well on both ends of the floor. You could tell by the look in his eyes that he just wanted it.

"We definitely wanted this game as a group."

The Rebels atoned for getting swept by Utah (14-17) in the regular-season series.

The difference in the teams’ third meeting was defense. UNLV brought much more intensity this time, forcing the Utes to shoot 13-for-40 (32.5 percent) from the field.

Brown scored 12 points to lead Utah, but he shot 2-for-11 from the field. Luka Drca scored 11 points on 1-for-6 shooting.

Utah stayed within striking distance only because of its free-throw shooting (31-for-36). Drca hit all eight of his foul shots, and Brown made all seven.

"We went through droughts offensively," Utes coach Jim Boylen said. "I thought UNLV got more balance than in our first two games. Their points were spread out a little bit more, and that made a difference.

"We’ve had a disappointing season. Every time I thought we were going to turn the corner, we just didn’t, and it’s been frustrating."

The Rebels’ big second-half run kept Utah from getting close to turning any corners. Kendall Wallace’s 3-pointer from the top extended UNLV’s lead to 49-33 with 13:28 remaining.

Oscar Bellfield’s 3 and Stanback’s 17-foot jumper continued the Rebels’ rally, and Marshall’s determined drive and dunk made the score 70-49 with 5:49 to go.

With some help from senior forward Darris Santee, UNLV jumped ahead early en route to a 29-25 halftime lead.

Santee scored all of his six points in the half and provided a low-post presence to help counter David Foster, Utah’s 7-foot-3-inch center. Foster was questionable to play with a sprained left ankle, but he started and was effective for spurts.

Willis’ 3-pointer put the Rebels ahead 21-8 with 6:10 remaining. The Utes answered with a 3-point shooting flurry to quickly close the gap.

"We expected it to be a real hard-fought game, and it was," UNLV coach Lon Kruger said.

Stanback finished with 10 points for the Rebels, who shot 27-for-56 (48.2 percent) from the field and had a 36-27 edge in rebounds.

Bellfield added eight points, and sophomore center Brice Massamba had seven.

Willis quickly turned his attention to BYU, which UNLV has defeated seven consecutive times at the Thomas & Mack.

"When you come here," Willis said, "you definitely learn this is a rivalry game."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.