For the second straight year, the top-seeded Cougars watched a first-half lead evaporate against UNLV in the championship game of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
Undone by offensive rebounds and turnovers, BYU lost to No. 2 UNLV 76-61 on Saturday night amidst an electric atmosphere at the Thomas & Mack Center.
By virtue of the title, UNLV (26-7) earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The 24th-ranked Cougars (27-7) were already assured of an at-large tournament invitation, but it will be a more somber gathering Sunday when as the Cougars watch the selection show and find out their seeding, opponent and destination.
UNLV rallied from an 11-point deficit to extend its winning streak against conference opponents at the Thomas & Mack to 24 straight games. Last year, the Rebels rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat BYU 78-70 in the title game.
In BYU's previous tournament games, it was the Cougars who had the strong second halves. But UNLV turned the tables.
BYU led 37-33 at the break, but the Rebels embarked on a 12-1 run to start the second half capped by back-to-back three-pointers by Riverton native Joe Darger to take a 45-38 lead.
BYU answered to tie the game at 47 on a hook shot by Trent Plaisted with 12:36 remaining.
But UNLV guard Wink Adams took over down the stretch to give UNLV a lead it would never surrender. Adams' three three-pointers killed any hope of a BYU comeback and sent UNLV students storming the floor in the aftermath despite repeated warnings to stay in their seats.
Two fights broke out in the stands after the game that left at least one BYU bloodied as security tried to control the situation.
The trophy ceremony had to be delayed to try to regain control of the surroundings.
Adams led UNLV with 23 points and Curtis Terry added 20. UNLV grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and forced 15 turnovers. The Rebels combined those into 27 points.
Jimmer Fredette led BYU with 17 points and Lee Cummard had 11. The Cougars shot 60 percent in the first half, but only 32 in the second 20 minutes to finish at 44 percent overall.
