UNLV Beats Colorado State, 73-67

Guard Marcus Banks scored 31 points to leads visiting UNLV to a 73-67 win over Colorado State in men’s Mountain West Conference basketball action Saturday afternoon. Banks made 13-of-20 field goals, including one three-pointer and added four free throws in 39 minutes on the court to take game scoring honors.

“Marcus Banks is to next impossible for us to guard.  He scored every which way you can. He was absolutely the difference in the game. We had guys work hard trying to guard him, but I don’t think any were very successful,” said Rams’ Coach Dale Layer. “There is only one guy on the floor who can make plays like Marcus Banks.”

Colorado State was led by forward Brian Green’s 21 points and nine rebounds, while center Matt Nelson added 15 points and Matt Williams scored 14.

The teams traded three leads during the game’s first six minutes before J.K. Edwards’s free throw with 11:06 to play in the first half gave the Rebels a lead they never lost. UNLV would lead by seven, 34-27 at halftime. Colorado State battled back to tie the score at 45 with 12:40 to play on Derrick Stevens’ three-pointer, but Edwards made a free throw to keep UNLV on top. Colorado State would come no closer than a one-point deficit the rest of the way.

“We fought back hard in the second half.  We scratch and claw all night to get even, but we couldn’t get over the hump. They made big shots," Layer said.

Colorado State, 14-12 on the year and 3-8 in the league, closes the home season Monday night by playing San Diego State. Game time is 7 p.m. in Moby Arena.

UNLV is now 18-8 overall, 7-5 in conference play.