UNLV Fans ‘Get It Out of System;’ Celebration Closes Casino Strip
The Las Vegas Strip, lined with casinos, was closed by police for a short time early Tuesday as more than 2,000 celebrated Nevada Las Vegas’ 103-73 victory over Duke for its first NCAA basketball title.
Motorists swamped the six-lane Strip, honking horns and shouting. Shirtless youths danced atop moving city buses and trucks. Some shredded newspapers for confetti.
“We did not want to interrupt the celebration too much,” said Police Lt. Randy Oaks. “We wanted the fans to get it out of their system.”
Police closed Maryland Parkway, the main street through the UNLV campus, because of the celebrants. One officer suffered a minor injury and one person was arrested after about 800 gathered at Tarkanian’s Celebrity Sports Club, across from campus.
“These weren’t necessarily bad people. They were people who became caught up in the celebration and behaved immaturely and in some instances destructively.”
After a parade Tuesday night, the 18,500-seat Thomas & Mack Center was packed for a welcome-home ceremony.
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