UNLV 83, Houston 73

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Michael Umeh had a game-high 23 points and

Jason Petrimoulx added 13 points Tuesday night to lead UNLV to an

83-73 victory over Houston.

Trailing by 20 points, Houston made things interesting late,

going on a 13-0 run and cutting its deficit to 69-62 with 3:54 to

play.

But UNLV (4-5) didn't miss a free throw in the final three

minutes and hung on for its second win in seven games.

The two teams combined for 55 fouls and UNLV was in the double

bonus with 14:25 to play.

The Rebels made 10 of 10 from the line over the final 2:58,

taking advantage of 31 Houston fouls. They converted 29 of 44 foul

shots in the game.

Ricky Morgan and Curtis Terry added nine points apiece for the

Rebels.

Oliver Lafayette led Houston (4-3) with 18 points and Lanny

Smith added 17.

UNLV closed the first half with a 19-7 run, using a pair of

3-pointers from Petrimoulx and a crowd-inspiring dunk from Terry to

break a 24-all tie and pull away over the final 5:33 of the half.

The Rebels jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, but the Cougars went

on a 16-4 run to take a five-point lead with 13:42 to play in the

first half.