UNLV 69, Portland State 54

Monday November 25, 2002

LAS VEGAS (AP) Dalron Johnson scored 19 points and blocked five shots Sunday night as UNLV opened its season by beating Portland State 69-54.

Johnson was 7-for-8 from the free-throw line and also had six rebounds and two steals.

Demetrius Hunter and Marcus Banks each added 14 points for the Runnin' Rebels.

Freshman Marshal Hartman scored 21 points for the Vikings (1-1), making eight of 12 shots. Seth Scott added 17 points and eight rounds for Portland State.

The Rebels, who never trailed, led 33-25 at halftime.

The Vikings cut the lead to five points on two occasions, the last at 45-40. But UNLV went on a 21-7 run for a 66-47 lead with 3:33 left in the game.

The Rebels, who shot 13-for-15 from the free-throw line in the second half, outscored the Vikings 14-0 in fast break points.

UNLV jumped to a 14-2 lead and eventually built a 25-12 advantage.

The Vikings outscored the Rebels 10-4 to draw within seven points late in the first half.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)