Final: UNLV 46, Air Force 43

Whew!

UNLV’s expected Senior Night romp over Air Force turned into a nail-biter. An ugly 46-43 nail-biter.

The cold-shooting Rebels appeared to have the game comfortably in hand, leading 41-29 with 8:16 to go.

But Air Force outscored the Rebels, 10-0, over the next seven minutes to cut it to two points, 41-39, with 1:48 remaining.

It wasn’t until Wink Adams drove and put in a tough left-handed layup with 24.6 that upped UNLV’s lead to four points, 45-41, that anxious Rebel fans could relax a little.

Falcon forward Matt Holland then missed two 3-pointers and Joe Darger hit the front end of  a one-and-one to give UNLV a 46-41 lead with 8.8 seconds left.

Holland drove for a dunk with 0.7 seconds left to cut it back to three points, 46-43. Rene Rougeau then inbounded the ball to Oscar Bellfield who dribbled the clock out.

Adams had 11 points and 5 rebounds to lead the Rebels.