PROVO -- After seven lead changes, UNLV ended up on top, beating BYU 12-9 in 11 innings on Thursday.

In BYU's first home game of the season, the Cougars (10-17) belted 13 hits in front of 1,494 fans. Seven pitchers were used by BYU beginning with Patrick Wells (3-2). Wells went four-plus innings allowing five runs on nine hits. He struck out two while walking four. Bryce Burger (0-3) picked up the loss, allowing four runs on five hits in two innings of relief.

Brent Johnson hit two solo home runs for UNLV (13-7). His second homer gave the Rebels a 9-8 lead in the 10th inning. Johnson finished 4-for-7 with three RBI and four runs scored. Eric Nielsen led UNLV with five RBI, finishing 4-for-7.

The Cougars came right back to tie the game at nine in the 10th with an RBI double by Kory Knell. But three runs in the 11th sealed UNLV's victory.

"When we got the lead, I have a lot of faith in our bullpen getting it done," said BYU head coach Vance Law. "They didn't get it done today, but I'm sure they'll come through for us again."

Four Rebels were thrown out at the plate including three by Ranger Wiens at shortstop.

Leadoff hitter Andrew D'Angelo scored the first run in the game for the Rebels after walking. A hit by Johnson moved D'Angelo to third and he scored on an RBI single by Nielsen. UNLV made the score 3-0 with two more runs in the top of the third. Nielsen knocked in the second and third RBI in the game with a double.

BYU tied the game in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs with two outs. Rob Itri singled in Ryan Chambers, and Brandon Taylor doubled off the center field wall, scoring Wiens and Itri.

Back-to-back doubles by Wade Vest and Chambers gave the Cougars a 4-3 lead in the fourth inning. The hit by Vest extended his hitting streak to 10 games, tying the team's season high with Ben Saylor. Saylor extended his hitting streak to seven and Chamers extended to five.

UNLV and BYU both scored two runs in the fifth inning, making it 6-5 Cougars. In the sixth, Johnson doubled in Peter White to tie the game. Ryan Ruiz then gave the Rebels a 7-6 lead with an RBI single.

Wiens tied the score at seven with a double in the sixth inning. The Cougars then took an 8-7 lead in the seventh on a RBI single by Tim Law. White singled in the tying run in the ninth inning for the Rebels with two outs.

BYU and UNLV play game two of the three game series Friday at 6:30 p.m. The game can be listened to live on KOVO 960 AM and followed through live stats at www.byucougars.com.

Univ. Nev. Las Vegas at Brigham Young Univ.
Mar 18, 2004 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas 12 (13-8,1-0 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
D'ANGELO, Andrew lf......  4  3  0  0   3  0  1  0   4
JOHNSON, Brent cf........  7  4  4  3   0  0  4  0   0
RUIZ, Ryan 2b............  4  2  2  1   1  0  6  3   0
NIELSEN, Eric rf.........  7  0  4  5   0  1  3  0   2
TELLAM, Justin c.........  4  0  1  0   1  1  3  0   2
 KOWALSKI, Ryan pr.......  0  1  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 ROSS, Brad c............  1  0  0  0   1  1  0  0   0
BIRD, Ryan dh............  2  0  1  0   0  0  0  0   0
 EBARB, C.J. ph..........  2  0  0  0   0  1  0  0   0
 BONNELL, Chris ph.......  1  0  1  0   0  0  0  0   0
 MINOR, Matt ph..........  2  0  0  0   0  2  0  0   4
SOTO, Ty 3b..............  5  1  2  0   0  2  0  6   1
GILL, Eddie 1b...........  4  0  0  0   1  1 16  0   0
WHITE, Peter ss..........  6  1  4  2   0  0  0  6   2
VOSE, Jake p.............  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  1   0
 WAGNER, Matt p..........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 SCHEINBAUM, Ben p.......  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 49 12 19 11   7  9 33 16  15
Brigham Young Univ. 9 (10-17,0-1 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
CHAMBERS, Ryan cf........  5  2  2  1   0  0  5  0   0
KNELL, Kory lf...........  6  0  1  1   0  0  3  1   1
WIENS, Ranger 3b.........  4  1  1  1   2  0  2  4   1
ITRI, Rob dh.............  5  2  2  1   1  1  0  0   2
TAYLOR, Brandon ss.......  6  2  2  2   0  1  2  3   0
SAYLOR, Ben rf/1b........  6  0  2  1   0  1  3  0   1
LAW, Tim 1b..............  4  0  1  2   0  0  3  1   0
 LUCAS, Blair ph.........  1  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   1
 BILLS, Kevin rf.........  1  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   1
CLOWARD, Casey c.........  5  1  1  0   0  0 11  3   2
VEST, Wade 2b............  4  1  1  0   0  0  4  1   1
WELLS, Patrick p.........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  1   0
 PARSONS, Kalen p........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 BARRETT, Joshua p.......  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 LEMON, Nick p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 BEUS, Lance p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 BURGER, Bryce p.........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 HEID, Tyler p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 47  9 13  9   3  3 33 14  10
Score by Innings                       R  H  E
----------------------------------------------
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas 102 022 001 13 - 12 19  3
Brigham Young Univ.. 003 121 100 10 -  9 13  4
----------------------------------------------
E - RUIZ; SOTO; WHITE; KNELL; TAYLOR 2; VEST. LOB - UNLV Rebels 15; BYU
Cougars 10. 2B - JOHNSON; NIELSEN 2; SOTO; WHITE 2; CHAMBERS; KNELL; WIENS;
TAYLOR 2; VEST. HR - JOHNSON 2(3). HBP - RUIZ 2; GILL; CHAMBERS. SH - SOTO;
VEST. SB - TAYLOR; LAW. CS - RUIZ; BIRD.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas   IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
VOSE, Jake..........  4.2  7  6  5  2  3 22 25
WAGNER, Matt........  3.1  3  2  1  0  0 14 14
SCHEINBAUM, Ben.....  3.0  3  1  1  1  0 11 13
Brigham Young Univ.    IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
WELLS, Patrick......  4.0  9  5  5  4  2 18 22
PARSONS, Kalen......  2.0  3  2  2  0  2  9  9
BARRETT, Joshua.....  1.0  1  0  0  0  0  4  5
LEMON, Nick.........  1.0  0  1  1  2  0  3  5
BEUS, Lance.........  0.2  1  0  0  0  1  2  3
BURGER, Bryce.......  2.0  5  4  2  0  3 12 14
HEID, Tyler.........  0.1  0  0  0  1  1  1  2
Win - SCHEINBAUM (2-2).  Loss - BURGER (0-3).  Save - None.
WP - LEMON. HBP - by VOSE (CHAMBERS); by BARRETT (GILL); by BURGER (RUIZ); by
BURGER (RUIZ). BK - SCHEINBAUM. PB - CLOWARD.
Umpires - HP: Keith Bailey  1B: Blake Jensen  3B: Terry Balser
Start: 6:30   Time: 3:58   Attendance: 1494
Game notes:
Game 1 of 3
WELLS faced 3 batters in the 5th.
LEMON faced 1 batter in the 9th.
Play-by-Play 
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas at Brigham Young Univ. - Play-by-Play
Mar 18, 2004 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
Score by Innings                       R  H  E
----------------------------------------------
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas 102 022 001 13 - 12 19  3
Brigham Young Univ.. 003 121 100 10 -  9 13  4
----------------------------------------------
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas starters: 21/lf D'ANGELO; 45/cf JOHNSON; 4/2b RUIZ;
   36/rf NIELSEN; 32/c TELLAM; 34/dh BIRD; 6/3b SOTO; 46/1b GILL; 7/ss
   WHITE; 2/p VOSE;
Brigham Young Univ. starters: 22/cf CHAMBERS; 12/lf KNELL; 8/3b WIENS; 21/dh
   ITRI; 3/ss TAYLOR; 25/rf SAYLOR; 1/1b LAW; 9/c CLOWARD; 5/2b VEST; 4/p
   WELLS;
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 1
   D'ANGELO walked. JOHNSON singled to shortstop; D'ANGELO advanced to
   second. RUIZ reached on a fielder's choice; JOHNSON out at second ss to
   2b; D'ANGELO advanced to third. RUIZ out at second p to 1b to ss, caught
   stealing. NIELSEN singled to left field, RBI; D'ANGELO scored. TELLAM
   flied out to rf. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 1
   CHAMBERS grounded out to 2b. KNELL grounded out to 3b. WIENS walked. ITRI
   struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 2
   BIRD singled down the lf line. BIRD out at second c to 2b, caught
   stealing. SOTO struck out looking. GILL flied out to lf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0
   errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 2
   TAYLOR struck out swinging. SAYLOR singled to left center. LAW flied out
   to cf. CLOWARD reached on a fielder's choice; SAYLOR out at second 2b
   unassisted. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 3
   WHITE grounded out to ss. D'ANGELO walked. JOHNSON flied out to rf. RUIZ
   walked; D'ANGELO advanced to second. NIELSEN doubled to left center, 2
   RBI; RUIZ scored; D'ANGELO scored. TELLAM struck out swinging. 2 runs, 1
   hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 3
   VEST grounded out to 3b. CHAMBERS hit by pitch. KNELL grounded out to 1b
   unassisted; CHAMBERS advanced to second. WIENS walked. ITRI singled up
   the middle, RBI; WIENS advanced to third; CHAMBERS scored. TAYLOR doubled
   to center field, 2 RBI; ITRI scored; WIENS scored. TAYLOR stole third.
   SAYLOR struck out looking. 3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 4
   BIRD grounded out to 2b. SOTO doubled to left field. GILL walked. WHITE
   singled to left field; GILL advanced to second; SOTO out at third lf to
   c. D'ANGELO flied out to cf. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 4
   LAW flied out to cf. CLOWARD flied out to rf. VEST doubled down the lf
   line. CHAMBERS doubled to right center, RBI; VEST scored. KNELL grounded
   out to ss. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 5
   JOHNSON homered to left field, RBI. RUIZ singled to left field. NIELSEN
   doubled to left center, RBI; RUIZ scored. PARSONS to p for WELLS. TELLAM
   flied out to cf. EBARB pinch hit for BIRD. EBARB struck out looking. SOTO
   struck out looking. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 5
   WIENS grounded out to 3b. ITRI singled up the middle. TAYLOR doubled down
   the rf line; ITRI advanced to third. SAYLOR grounded out to p, RBI;
   TAYLOR advanced to third; ITRI scored. LAW reached on an error by ss,
   RBI; TAYLOR scored, unearned. WAGNER to p for VOSE. CLOWARD flied out to
   rf. 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 6
   GILL flied out to lf. WHITE doubled to left field. D'ANGELO popped up to
   ss. JOHNSON doubled down the lf line, RBI; WHITE scored. RUIZ singled to
   left center, RBI; JOHNSON scored. NIELSEN flied out to rf. 2 runs, 3
   hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 6
   VEST grounded out to ss. CHAMBERS singled to center field. KNELL popped
   up to 2b. WIENS doubled down the lf line, RBI; CHAMBERS scored. ITRI
   flied out to lf. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 7
   BARRETT to p for PARSONS. TELLAM singled, advanced to second on an error
   by lf. EBARB flied out to cf; TELLAM advanced to third. SOTO reached on a
   fielder's choice; TELLAM out at third 3b to c to 3b. GILL hit by pitch;
   SOTO advanced to second. WHITE flied out to cf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 2
   LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 7
   TAYLOR reached on a throwing error by 3b. SAYLOR grounded out to 2b;
   TAYLOR advanced to second. LAW singled to left field, RBI; TAYLOR scored,
   unearned. CLOWARD flied out to cf. LAW stole second. VEST grounded out to
   ss. 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 8
   LEMON to p for BARRETT. D'ANGELO walked. D'ANGELO advanced to second on a
   passed ball. JOHNSON flied out to lf. D'ANGELO advanced to third on a
   wild pitch. RUIZ reached on a fielder's choice; D'ANGELO out at home 3b
   to c. NIELSEN reached on a fielder's choice; RUIZ out at second ss to 2b.
   0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 8
   CHAMBERS flied out to rf. KNELL popped up to 2b. WIENS flied out to cf. 0
   runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 9
   TELLAM walked. KOWALSKI pinch ran for TELLAM. BEUS to p for LEMON.
   BONNELL pinch hit for EBARB. BONNELL singled to right field; KOWALSKI
   advanced to second. SOTO grounded out to 3b, SAC, bunt; BONNELL advanced
   to second; KOWALSKI advanced to third. GILL struck out swinging. BURGER
   to p for BEUS. WHITE singled to pitcher, RBI; BONNELL advanced to third;
   KOWALSKI scored. D'ANGELO popped up to 2b. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2
   LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 9
   ROSS to c for KOWALSKI. SCHEINBAUM to p for WAGNER. ITRI grounded out to
   ss. TAYLOR grounded out to 2b. SAYLOR singled to center field. LUCAS
   pinch hit for LAW. LUCAS reached on a fielder's choice; SAYLOR out at
   second 3b to 2b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 10
   SAYLOR to 1b. BILLS to rf for LUCAS. JOHNSON homered to left field, RBI.
   RUIZ hit by pitch. NIELSEN struck out swinging. ROSS struck out swinging.
   MINOR pinch hit for BONNELL. MINOR struck out swinging. 1 run, 1 hit, 0
   errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 10
   CLOWARD singled up the middle. CLOWARD advanced to second on a balk. VEST
   out at first 3b to 2b, SAC, bunt; CLOWARD advanced to third. CHAMBERS
   grounded out to 1b unassisted. KNELL doubled to right field, RBI; CLOWARD
   scored. WIENS grounded out to ss. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Univ. Nev. Las Vegas - inning 11
   SOTO singled to left field. GILL flied out to cf. WHITE doubled to left
   center, advanced to third on a throwing error by ss, RBI; SOTO scored.
   D'ANGELO reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on the throw;
   WHITE out at third 3b to c to 3b. JOHNSON reached on a fielding error by
   ss; D'ANGELO advanced to third. RUIZ hit by pitch; JOHNSON advanced to
   second. NIELSEN singled to second base, RBI; RUIZ advanced to second,
   advanced to third on a throwing error by 2b; JOHNSON scored, unearned;
   D'ANGELO scored, unearned. HEID to p for BURGER. ROSS walked; NIELSEN
   advanced to second. MINOR struck out swinging. 3 runs, 3 hits, 3 errors,
   3 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 11
   ITRI walked. TAYLOR reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on
   a throwing error by 2b; ITRI out at second 3b to 2b. SAYLOR grounded out
   to 1b unassisted; TAYLOR advanced to third. BILLS grounded out to ss. 0
   runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.

Finishing a 26-game opening schedule in California, BYU starts its home stand with a three-game series against UNLV beginning Thursday.

The series begins Mountain West Conference play for both teams. Thursday and Friday's match-ups begin at 6:30 p.m. at Larry H. Miller Field with the final game at noon on Saturday.

After winning six of their last seven games, the Cougars enter the week with a 10-16 record. Probable pitching starters for BYU are Patrick Wells (3-2, 4.53) on Thursday, Paul Jacinto (0-5, 6.35) on Friday and Justin Su'a (2-1, 3.44) on Saturday.

"It's nice to be home after a bit of a rough start," said BYU Coach Vance Law. "Our pitching has been very good all year and our hitters are catching on. We are hoping all facets can come together."

BYU enters conference play after finishing second at the Pepsi-Johnny Quik Classic hosted by Fresno State in Fresno, Calif. BYU went 5-1 in the tournament, beating Dallas Baptist, Chicago State, Fresno State, Monmouth and Portland.

Posting the best record in the tournament, the Cougars had homefield advantage in the championship game against Fresno State. BYU fell 10-9 to the Bulldogs after a ninth inning triple scored two and gave Fresno its first lead in the game. Sophomore right fielder Ben Saylor and junior catcher Casey Cloward were named to the all-tournament team.

The second place finish is the third in seven appearances for the Cougars. The only time BYU has won the tournament is in 1983.

Senior second baseman Wade Vest leads the team with a nine-game hitting streak, the second longest streak this year. Saylor has a six-game streak and junior center fielder Ryan Chambers has a four-game streak. Chambers has also hit triples in the last four-consecutive games.

Sophomore Jeff Heistand leads the Cougars with a .311 batting average. He has three home runs and 15 RBI after a two home run, six RBI game against Chicago State last week.

BYU improved both offensively and defensively after the six-game tournament in Fresno. The Cougars raised their team batting average 15 points from .218 to .237 while the team ERA dropped 25 points from 5.52 to 5.27.

The Cougars are 49-47 against UNLV all-time. Last year, BYU also opened its home schedule against the Rebels, winning one of three in the series. Jacinto threw a one-hitter in the lone win. The Cougars were swept by UNLV in Las Vegas in 2003, finishing with a 1-5 record against the Rebels for the season. Three of the five losses to UNLV last year were decided by one run.

The Rebels (12-7) began this season with a majority of their games at home. They have a 12-3 home record and are 0-4 on the road. Last week, they won two of three against Central Michigan in Las Vegas.

Senior second baseman Ryan Ruiz leads the team with a .449 batting average. He has three home runs and 26 RBI. Six position starters have a batting average above .300, and the team comes into the series with a .318 average. Senior starting pitcher Jake Voss began the season 3-1 with a 3.52 ERA and 23 strikeouts in six starts. The team ERA sits at .570.

UNLV finished 47-17 in 2003 and 27-6 in the MWC, winning the conference tournament. The Rebels are led by first-year coach Buddy Gouldsmith.

BYU radio coverage starts Thursday with the play-by-play coming again from Brent Norton, BYU's veteran broadcaster entering his 14th season. On Saturday the play-by-play will be called by Jay Monsen. Games will be live on KOVO 960 AM with Saturday's game available live on the Internet. A link to the audio cast can be found at www.byucougars.com.