Air Force's Mike Fitzgerald, right, puts up a shot against UNLV's Carlos Lopez during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 10, 2011, in Las Vegas.
Julie Jacobson, Associated Press
LAS VEGAS — Chace Stanback and Tre'Von Willis each scored 20 points in leading the UNLV Runnin' Rebels past Air Force 69-53 Thursday night in the Mountain West Conference quarterfinals for their sixth straight win.
The Rebels (24-7) will face No. 7 San Diego State (30-2) Friday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. They've been beaten by the second-seeded Aztecs twice, both times by six points.
The Rebels won this one from long distance, sinking 11 of 20 3-pointers, including Stanback's 6-of-8 performance.
UNLV coach Lon Kruger has been an outspoken proponent of the Mountain West getting several NCAA tournament bids because the league is ranked fourth in the RPI, ahead of some leagues where six or seven bids have been discussed.
The third-seeded Rebels, who improved to 14-1 at the Thomas & Mack Center against the Falcons (15-15) have certainly burnished their credentials, winning 10 of their last 12 games.
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