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Las Vegas, NV - The Vikings were in it through 20 minutes but a cold second half cost them the season-opener at UNLV. The Runnin' Rebels beat the Vikings, 67-48.

Portland State trailed by only a point at halftime, but managed to make just 8-32 second half shots (.250). The Vikings also had 20 turnovers in the game.

The Rebels led early, but Tim Douglas and Brandon Cataldo kept the Vikings in the game. When Douglas found teammate DaShaun Wiggins for a fast break layup at the 13:01 mark of the first half, PSU had its first lead, Wiggins was fouled and made the free throw, to put PSU up 16-13.

Douglas hit double figures and put PSU ahead 20-19 at the 8:47 mark of the half. A moment later, Kyle Richardson hit a shot in the lane and PSU led 22-19. 

UNLV took the lead back for the rest of the half, but the Vikings had two shots at the rim and the lead on the final possession of the half but couldn't convert. Still, PSU went into the locker room trailing only 29-28 despite getting no points or rebounds out of top player Aaron Moore who was saddled with foul trouble.

Douglas had 14 points on 6-11 field goals in the half. Cataldo had five points and five rebounds. Khem Birch led UNLV with 11 points and six rebounds.

PSU had a 23-15 rebound advantage to help keep them in the game.

A 14-2 run early in the second half got the Rebels control of the game and a 43-32 lead. With the Vikings unable to get any offense going, UNLV was able to pull away.

For the game, PSU made 19-61 shots (.311) from the field, 0-7 from three-point range. UNLV hit 23-53 (.434), including 8-19 from three-point range. Rebounding was virtually even with the Runnin' Rebels having a 42-41 advantage.

"We missed some easy little shots in the second half and they took off to the other end and scored or it could have been a much closer game," said Viking Coach Tyler Geving. "The first 30-32 minutes of the game were good basketball, the last eight or 10 were a little tough. That was a very good team we played. We just need to get back to work and move forward."

Geving acknowledged strong play from his new point guard Douglas and big men Cataldo and Richardson. "Tim handled himself well and made some tough shots in traffic over big guys. Tim is going to be a good player in our league. He got some confidence tonight and got off to a good start."

Douglas led the Vikings with 18 points. Cataldo had nine points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Richardson added nine points and nine rebounds.

Roscoe Smith scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead UNLV. Birch scored 13 points and had 17 rebounds.

Now 0-1, Portland State will come home for seven of their next eight preseason games. Portland State will have its home opener on Wednesday night, hosting Pacific Lutheran at the Stott Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

GAME NOTES: Moore was able to play only 15 minutes before fouling out. He had two points and a rebound… Portland State played without JR G Gary Winston who is still recovering from hernia surgery, Lamont Prosser (knee) and Tiegbe Bamba (achilles). Winston should be available to play next week… JR G Andre Winston did not play due to a team suspension.