LAS VEGAS – For the second straight game, the PVAMU men's basketball team had an impressive first half but saw its opponent pull away in the second as UNLV claimed an 80-62 win at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Unlike Wednesday's game at Wisconsin, the Panthers didn't rely on the three-ball early on as they attacked the Rebels inside early on.  The plan worked to perfection as Dominique Shaw's three-point play gave the team a 15-9 lead with 10:58 left followed by Tevin Bellinger's layup to extend the lead to 17-11 29 seconds later.  UNLV would reclaim the lead at the 7:34 mark but the Panthers didn't waver as another Bellinger basket reclaimed a 26-24 margin a minute later.  The lead would change hands several times from that point as both teams would end up tied at 42-all entering the half.

The second half was the total opposite as the Panthers shot 1-for-12 to open the half while UNLV went 6-for-9 to pull away with a 59-44 lead within the first seven minutes.  The deficit would grow to 20 points with 9:44 remaining but the Panthers fought back and closed to within 11 (71-60) at the 3:58 mark after Bellinger's trey.  However, the deficit was too much for the Panthers to climb out of as UNLV closed out the contest.

Bellinger led the way with 18 points while Admassu Williams followed with 12 points and six rebounds. 

The Panthers are back in action Wednesday night as they'll travel to Baylor.