UNLV-Wisconsin: Rebels edge Badgers 68-65 thanks to late steal by Hawkins

Justin Hawkins stole an inbounds pass, was fouled and hit two free throws with 6.7 seconds left to help UNLV defeat Wisconsin 68-65 today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Chase Stanback scored 25 points and Oscar Bellfield had 18 for the Rebels (3-0).

Stanback hit a jumper from the wing with 56 seconds left to put UNLV up 66-65.

Jordan Taylor missed an open 18-footer on the other end and Bellfield rebounded for the Rebels. Bellfield was fouled with 29 seconds left and missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Badgers coach Bo Ryan called timeout with 14 seconds left. Jon Leuer missed a jumper but Wisconsin rebounded. After another timeout at eight seconds, Hawkins stole a pass intended for Leuer.

Taylor finished with 19 points for the Badgers, who are 2-1 and ranked 25th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

HALFTIME REPORT

Oscar Bellfield scored 16 points to carry UNLV to a 34-33 halftime lead over Wisconsin today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Carlos Lopez hit a baseline jumper just before the buzzer to put the Rebels (2-0) on top at the break.

Jordan Taylor hit 8 of 9 free throws and had 16 points for the Badgers, who are 2-0 and ranked 25th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

Bellfield scored eight of the Rebels' first 10 points. He rattled in a 3-pointer from the left wing to put UNLV up 14-9 with 14:22 remaining.

The Badgers rallied and took a 27-23 lead on Josh Gasser's 3-pointer with 7:42 to go.

UNLV senior Tre'Von Willis returned from a four-game suspension and checked in at the 14:46 mark. Willis went scoreless in nine minutes.