BIG WEST CONFERENCE ROUNDUP : UNLV Repels Temple’s Late Charge

With 3 minutes 47 seconds left Saturday at Philadelphia, Nevada Las Vegas seemed to have control of its nonconference game against Temple.

The Rebels had a 74-62 lead, and three Temple starters had fouled out. This was a game the seventh-ranked Rebels (10-3) surely would win.

But Temple outscored UNLV, 12-2, to close within two points with 50 seconds left. Then Larry Johnson took over, making six consecutive free throws in the final 34 seconds as UNLV held on for an 82-76 victory over the Owls (6-6).

“I just took my time, took a deep breath and got ready,” Johnson said of his free throws.

Each team was charged with 28 personal fouls.

“It was a strange ballgame,” UNLV Coach Jerry Tarkanian said. “I’m surprised we were leading at the half because we didn’t shoot very well.”

The Rebels held a 40-37 halftime lead.

An NCAA investigation into an unpaid loan kept Anderson Hunt out of the Las Vegas lineup.

“Based on a university audit, it has been determined that junior guard Anderson Hunt has a school loan which has not yet been fully repaid,” UNLV Assistant Athletic Director Joyce Aschenbrenner said.

Hunt said it was a misunderstanding because he thought the loan had been repaid.

Utah State 77, San Jose State 72--Kendall Youngblood scored 15 points and the Aggies made the final six points at Logan, Utah.

Randy Funk had 13 points for Utah State (9-6, 3-1), which outshot San Jose State, 59% to 43%.

Kenne Young led San Jose State (4-9, 1-3) with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Mike Wasserburger scored 14 points.