UNLV freshman Brandon McCoy showed the difference a dominant old-school center can make with his 26-point, 17-rebound performance, while UNLV senior point guard Jordan Johnson (20 points, six assists) gave the Utes fits with his ability to break down the defense with the dribble.
The Utes got 14 points and 11 rebounds from freshman forward Donnie Tillman and senior forward Tyler Rawson added 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to avoid their first loss of the season a 85-58 drubbing at the hands of the Rebels in the championship game of the heavyweight division in the MGM Resorts Main Event at T-Mobile Arena.