OMAHA, March 20 (UPI) -- Joe Darger and Wink Adams helped UNLV dominate the first half Thursday en route to a 71-58 win over Kent State in the NCAA Tournament's first round.
UNLV, which won its fifth straight game, advanced in the tournament's Midwest Region for a second-round meeting Saturday with top-seeded Kansas.
Darger scored 18 points, Adams had 17 and the Runnin' Rebels limited Kent State to 10 points in the first half while building a 21-point cushion at the break. The 10 points equaled the NCAA Tournament record for fewest in a half.
UNLV, coming off its second straight Mountain West Conference Tournament championship, improved to 27-7. Kent State finished its season at 28-7.
The Golden Flashes, champions of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, were led by Mike Scott with 14 points.
UNLV opened the game with an 11-2 run and produced a 16-2 surge later in the first half. Kent State made just five of 24 shots during the opening half and committed 17 turnovers.
