LAS VEGAS -- Patrick McCaw scored 15 points, and UNLV's defense stiffened down the stretch, helping the Running Rebels avoid a disappointing loss Friday night as they outlasted Cal Poly 74-72 in the season opener for both teams.
Cal Poly trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half but tied it 67-all with 2:20 left on Joel Awich's dunk. Jordan Cornish followed with a layup to put UNLV back on top, and the Rebels defense went to work, forcing a stop on each of the Mustangs' next four possessions.