Box Score

LAS VEGAS - The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team opened the 2006-07 season with a 73-59 loss to UNLV, Friday night, at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Rainbow Warriors, who opened on the road for the first time since 1993, rallied from a 19-point first half deficit and took a brief lead after the break.

The game was the first part of an in-season home-and-home series between the schools. The teams split the series last season, each defending their homecourt.

UH guard Matt Gibson scored 20 points to lead the 'Bows, and sparked the comeback with four 3-pointers among his 16 second half points. Forward Ahmet Gueye posted his fifth career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds while playing the entire 40 minutes.

UNLV used a 15-0 run and out-scored UH 23-2 over a six and a half minute span to take a 23-4 lead at the 12:10 mark. The 'Bows stormed back with 10 unanswered to trim the deficit to nine. UH pulled to within eight on four occasions before the Rebels entered the half with a 38-27 advantage.

Gueye led all UH scorers with eight points. Joel Anthony had eight for UNLV.

UH scored the first seven points of the second half to cut the deficit to four at 38-34. With the Rebels leading 46-39 at 14:02, the 'Bows used 9-0 run, sparked by consecutive Gibson treys to take a 48-46 lead with 11:22 left. UH tied it twice more but could not regain the lead thereafter.

The Rebels answered back with a four-point play by Wink Adams and a trey by Joe Darger to go ahead 57-52 with just over seven minutes to play.

With UNLV holding a 60-58 lead, the Rebels scored eight straight and held the 'Bows without a point for three plus minutes to take a 68-58 lead with just over three minutes to play.

Adams led the Rebels with 16 points. Joel Anthony added 10 points, eight rebounds, and had eight of UNLV's 13 team blocks.

The 'Bows return to Honolulu for their home opener against Coppin State, Monday, Nov. 13. Tip-off is 7:05 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

-UH-