Dec. 20, 1997

Runnin' Rebels Fall to No. 23 Syracuse, 71-64

LAS VEGAS - Ryan Blackwell scored 14 points and Etan Thomas added 13 as 23rd-ranked Syracuse remained unbeaten with a 71-64 victory over undermanned Nevada-Las Vegas in the Las Vegas Shootout.

The Orangemen (9-0) defeated UNLV for the second straight season to take a 2-1 lead in the all-time series. Four of Syracuse's victories have come by seven points or less.

Freshman Kaspars Kambula scored 23 points for the Runnin' Rebels (4-4). UNLV was without center Keon Clark, who was suspended for violating team rules.