LAS VEGAS (SMU) -- Despite a blistering 52 percent shooting performance, the SMU Mustangs could not overcome the host UNLV Runnin' Rebels, falling 79-78, in the final of the Jim Thorpe Classic.
SMU shot 12-for-23 from three-point range and outrebounded UNLV, 33-25, but were also whistled for 30 fouls to just 20 for the Rebels. UNLV did shoot the ball well, hitting 57 percent from the floor and 53 percent from long range.
SMU trailed by as many as 13 in the second half but staged a furious rally and appeared to take a 77-76 lead on a Quinton Ross layup, but the referees called a charge on the play and wiped the points off the scoreboard. UNLV scored on the ensuing possession and SMU's final play with 0.3 seconds remaining was swatted away, preserving the win for the Rebels.
Bryan Hopkins led all scorers with 24 points, while Ross (16) and Justin Isham (13) also added double-figure efforts.
Up next for SMU are the San Diego Toreros, who visit Moody on Thursday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m.
Official Basketball Box Score -- GAME TOTALS -- FINAL STATISTICS
SMU vs UNLV
12/29/02 8:00 PM at Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
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VISITORS: SMU 4-5
TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS
## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
13 Ross, Quinton....... f 5-11 1-2 5-7 4 4 8 5 16 3 1 0 0 38
33 Kelley, Jibran...... f 0-1 0-0 2-2 2 2 4 5 2 0 2 0 1 15
50 Smith, Nigel........ c 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 0 3 0 0 16
03 Isham, Justin....... g 5-7 3-3 0-0 1 1 2 4 13 0 1 0 0 30
11 Hopkins, Bryan...... g 6-13 5-11 7-9 0 0 0 4 24 3 7 0 1 28
01 Simpson, Patrick.... 3-6 1-2 0-0 1 5 6 3 7 1 5 0 0 26
05 Miller, Brian....... 2-3 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 3
21 Castro, Eric........ 3-3 0-0 0-0 1 8 9 4 6 0 3 0 0 22
23 Atkins, Lavardicus.. 1-4 1-3 2-2 0 1 1 2 5 1 0 0 0 22
TEAM................ 1 1
Totals.............. 25-48 12-23 16-20 9 24 33 30 78 8 22 0 2 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 12-22 54.5% 2nd Half: 13-26 50.0% Game: 52.1% DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 6-11 54.5% 2nd Half: 6-12 50.0% Game: 52.2% REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 11-13 84.6% 2nd Half: 5-7 71.4% Game: 80.0% 1
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HOME TEAM: UNLV 8-2
TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS
## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN
05 LEWIS, Jermaine..... f 2-4 1-2 3-7 1 1 2 3 8 1 1 0 1 28
10 JOHNSON, Dalron..... f 4-8 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 3 9 5 6 1 0 29
55 EDWARDS, JK......... c 5-6 0-0 1-5 3 3 6 4 11 3 4 0 2 26
01 HUNTER, Demetrius... g 6-12 3-7 0-3 0 3 3 0 15 1 1 0 1 32
03 BANKS, Marcus....... g 6-8 2-3 6-9 0 1 1 2 20 4 3 1 2 27
12 TURNER, Ernest...... 1-4 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 15
14 PEARSON, Omari...... 1-3 0-0 1-1 1 3 4 3 3 0 1 0 0 14
24 BIGBY, Lamar........ 1-1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 8
34 PETERS, James....... 1-2 0-0 1-2 1 0 1 2 3 1 1 0 2 11
44 KNOCHE, Jon......... 1-1 1-1 1-2 1 1 2 3 4 5 1 0 0 10
TEAM................ 1 1 2
Totals.............. 28-49 10-19 13-29 8 17 25 20 79 21 18 2 8 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 15-25 60.0% 2nd Half: 13-24 54.2% Game: 57.1% DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 6-12 50.0% 2nd Half: 4-7 57.1% Game: 52.6% REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 7-14 50.0% 2nd Half: 6-15 40.0% Game: 44.8% 5
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Officials: Donald Griffin, Vern Haskins, Brian Shelley
Technical fouls: SMU-None. UNLV-None.
Attendance: 10,430
Score by Periods 1st 2nd Total
SMU........................... 41 37 - 78
UNLV.......................... 43 36 - 79
Jim Thorpe Classic Game 4
