UNLV Crushes Pacific, Prepares for Big Show

Mercifully, the preliminaries are nearing an end for Nevada Las Vegas.

After laying waste to the University of the Pacific, 99-72, in front of 10,597 Saturday night in the Long Beach Arena, there is only one more.

The Rebels play Cal State Long Beach in the Big West Conference tournament championship game today at 3 p.m.

Then it’s on to the NCAA tournament, which should provide a more suitable stage for the Rebels to strut their stuff.

Against Pacific, a team it had beaten by 40 points this season and had won its first tournament game since 1986 on Friday, UNLV played with great indifference at times.

The Rebels, third-ranked and now 27-5, showed flashes of the brilliance some believe will carry them to the Final Four.

Their smothering man-to-man defense stifled Pacific (15-14).

UNLV struck with startling quickness, passing the ball inside to Larry Johnson and David Butler for easy baskets. Pacific seemed defenseless to stop the pair.

Johnson had 20 points, making nine of 12 from the field. Butler had 15 and Anderson Hunt had 19.

Stacey Augmon, who had 16 points, flew through the lane to slam home a miss by Butler early in the game and was no less spectacular finishing off numerous fast breaks.

But at other times, UNLV had trouble taking Pacific seriously. The Rebels’ lack of emotion was one reason the Tigers trailed just 44-33 at halftime.