Thursday, June 26, 2008 | 10:03 a.m.
UNLV lost the first of its six-game tour of Australia to the Sutherland Sharks on Thursday.
At Sutherland Basketball Stadium, the Sharks won, 72-64, behind 17 points from Russell Hinder.
It was the first competitive games for UNLV center Beas Hamga and point guard Tre’Von Willis.
Hamga, a redshirt freshman, had six points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Willis, a sophomore transfer from Memphis who also sat out last season, scored three points.
UNLV took a 47-42 lead in the third quarter, but Sutherland cut into its deficit and took a five-point advantage with less than two minutes remaining when Hamga was called for goaltending.
Senior swingman Joe Darger led the Rebels with 15 points and yanked down a game-high 12 rebounds. Senior guards Wink Adams and Mareceo Rutledge chipped in with 13 points apiece.
Kendall Wallace scored six points and Scott Hoffman added five for the Rebels, who traveled with only eight healthy players. Matt Shaw made the trip but will sit out the upcoming season after undergoing knee surgery.
Senior forward Rene Rougeau had three points.
UNLV plays its second game of the tour Friday against the Ilawara Seahawks.
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