Rebels get their guards up against Lobos, 32-26

ALBUQUERQUE — With his team struggling badly on offense in last Tuesday night’s 68-66 overtime loss to San Diego State, UNLV coach Lon Kruger decided to shake things up for the start of the second half of Mountain West Conference play here Saturday night.

Kruger turned to a four-guard offense against New Mexico … and the initial results were good.

The quicker Rebels seemed to cause the Lobos problems, especially at the start when UNLV jumped out to a 14-6 lead. The Rebels led at halftime, 32-26.

Kruger replaced 6-8 forward Darris Santee in the lineup with 6-2 freshman PG Oscar Bellfield. He joined 6-0 Wink Adams, 6-4 Tre’Von Willis, 6-6 Rene Rougeau and 6-7 Joe Darger.

After Darger picked up his second foul with 9:50 to go, a small Rebel lineup got even smaller with 6-3 Mo Rutledge playing center and the 6-6 Rougeau the tallest player on the floor for UNLV.

Rene Rougeau had 10 points as did Willis, who hit two quick 3-pointers as UNLV jumped out to a quick eight point lead. The Lobos never got any closer than three points after that.

Rougeau also had nine rebounds, including four on the offensive end, as the Rebels held a surprising 20-19 rebounding edge.