Wednesday, December 3rd, 10:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Save Mart Center (15,596) -- Fresno, California. Television: Local. Home Record: UNLV 4-2, FSU 2-1. Away Record: UNLV 1-0, FSU 0-2. Neutral Record: UNLV 0-0, FSU 0-0. Conference Record: UNLV 0-0, FSU 0-0. Series Record: UNLV leads, 26-6.

GAME NOTES: The UNLV Rebels try to bounce back from consecutive losses as they contend against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Pape Slam at the Save Mart Center tonight. After ripping off five straight victories to open the 2008-09 season, the Rebels suffered a reality check last weekend with back-to-back defeats at the hands of California (73-55) and Cincinnati (67-65) as part of the Global Sports Classic at the Thomas & Mack Center. Heading into this matchup, the Rebels have played just one game on the road previously, an 80-67 triumph against UTEP back on November 24th. As for the Bulldogs, who are closing out a three-game homestand tonight, they are coming off a disappointing 62-54 loss to Oregon State on Sunday, a decision that snapped one of the nation's longest losing streaks for the Beavers. the defeat was the third in the last four outings for the Bulldogs. The Rebels have dominated the series with Fresno State over the years with a 26-6 edge. Last season, UNLV took care of the Bulldogs by a score of 84-71 at Orleans Arena in Sin City.

Joe Darger and Tre'Von Willis both tallied 18 points for the Rebels as they closed out the Global Sports Classic at home over the weekend with a two-point loss to the Bearcats. Darger did all of his damage behind the three-point line where he was 6-of-9, while the rest of the team finished a collective 0-of-11 beyond the arc. Wink Adams had a poor offensive showing with just 2-of-11 shooting for his five-point, while Rene Rougeau chipped in eight points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Adams continues to lead the program in scoring with his 13.7 ppg, but his accuracy from the field has dipped to just 34.1 percent and his three-point shooting is now down to 22.9 percent. Darger (10.3 ppg) tries to keep the squad afloat on the perimeter, having converted 20-of-48 chances, but it is really the overall shooting that coach Lon Kruger has to be concerned about. Heading into action this week the Rebels are last in the Mountain West Conference and 257th nationally at a mere 40.8 percent from the floor.

Failing to get to the free-throw line for even one attempt in the first half against Oregon State over the weekend didn't help matters as the Bulldogs tumbled at home against a previously winless team. Dwight O'Neil posted 14 points, Nedeljko Golubovic 13 and eight boards, while Mychal Ladd tallied 11 points and seven rebounds in the setback, one in which FSU was held to just 37 percent shooting from the field and 7-of-29 beyond the arc. Sylvester Seay failed to score in double figures the last time out, yet he has been the top scorer for the program in three of their five games this season and remains atop the scoring list overall with his 14.0 ppg. Paul George, the top rebounder for the group with his 6.4 boards per contest, is second in scoring with 12.8 ppg, but really this team is only going to go as far as O'Neil is able to carry them. O'Neil is dropping in 12.0 ppg, clearing almost five and a half rebounds per outing and has accounted for 30 of the unit's 80 assists thus far.

Losing to Oregon State was no small feat for the Bulldogs, as they really had to fall apart in order for that to happen. Given that UNLV is trying to battle back from two tough losses, expect to see the Rebels come out on top.

Predicted Outcome

UNLV 81, Fresno State 70