COLLEGE BASKETBALL NATIONAL ROUNDUP : UNLV Runs Win Streak to 27

Quick, which college basketball team has the longest winning streak? Those who would answer “Duke” are forgetting about a desert tradition that even probation and a coaching change cannot diminish.

Nevada Las Vegas extended its national-best winning streak to 27 games Saturday with a 94-88 victory over previously unbeaten Marquette at Las Vegas. The No. 19-ranked Rebels have won 50 consecutive games at the Thomas & Mack Center, a streak which also leads the nation.

J.R. Rider picked a good night to tie a personal best with 32 points with a personal-best 15 rebounds for the Rebels. UNLV was making its first appearance on national television in two years after being banned by the NCAA.

“I think we proved a lot to the nation and a lot to coach,” Rider said of new coach Rollie Massimino.

Said Massimino: “I hope (fans) think we played well and we’re still the Runnin’ Rebels.”

The Rebels (4-0) used their quickness against the taller Warriors (6-1) in taking a 17-9 lead. UNLV built the margin to 14 points at halftime, and led by 16 points late in the game before Marquette came back against the Rebel reserves.

No. 23 Cincinnati 68, Temple 45--Nick Van Exel made eight three-pointers, a school record, on the way to a career-high 26 points as the Bearcats overcame a sluggish start at Cincinnati.

Van Exel made consecutive three-pointers to start a 15-point run that put Cincinnati (4-1) ahead to stay midway through the first half. He scored 18 points before halftime--all on three-pointers--and forced Temple (4-2) to spread its defense.

Temple made 30% from the field and 29% (five of 17) from the free-throw line. Aaron McKie led the Owls with 15 points, six below his average.

OTHER GAMES

Josh Grant scored 20 points on perfect shooting and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for Utah (6-2) in its 96-62 victory over Wisconsin Milwaukee (8-1) at Salt Lake City. Grant went eight for eight from the field and two for two from the free-throw line to help the Utes shoot 60.9%. . . . B.J. Tyler scored 25 points while making five three-pointers, and Terrence Rencher added 19 to lead Texas (4-2) to a 89-72 victory over Illinois (7-3) in Austin, Tex. The Illini were supported by 25 points each from Andy Kaufmann and Dion Thomas.

Maryland (6-1) held Morgan State (0-7) to two baskets in the opening 12 minutes and freshman Nemanja Petrovic had 17 points in the Terrapins’ 103-63 victory at College Park, Md. Evers Burns and Exree Hipp added 15 point each to help Maryland record its fifth consecutive victory . . . Andrew Gardiner scored 16 points and San Jose State (3-4) overcame a 16-point first-half deficit in San Jose on the way to a 74-62 nonconference victory over Fresno State (4-3).