LAS VEGAS (AP) - Anthony Marshall helped UNLV right the ship after two tough losses.

He scored a career high 17 points to lead UNLV over Southern Utah 72-50 Saturday night.

``I thought he did a real good job tonight,' Rebels coach Lon Kruger said. ``He was finishing plays. I thought his balance was good. I thought he looked really sharp.'

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Freshman forward Carlos Lopez had season-highs of 12 points and 11 rebounds for UNLV (10-2), which had lost its previous two. The Rebels, who never trailed, also won despite shooting 3 of 16 from 3-point range.

Matt Hodgson led Southern Utah (3-8) with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Jordan Weirick added 10 points. The Thunderbirds were 2 of 11 from 3-point range and made 14 of 29 free throws.

Matt Hodgson led Southern Utah (3-8) with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Jordan Weirick added 10 points. The Thunderbirds were 2 of 11 from 3-point range and made 14 of 29 free throws.

Last December, the Rebels beat the Thunderbirds, 77-59 in Cedar City, Utah. UNLV now has won 19 straight against the Thunderbirds, who play in the Summit League.

``(UNLV is) a much better team than they were last year,' Southern Utah assistant coach Ron Carling said. ``They have better team chemistry. Everyone was athletic. They denied the ball well. We knew it was going to be tough.'

UNLV, which never trailed, went on a 21-3 run that made it 37-13 shortly before letting Southern Utah close out the first half with five straight points.

``Everyone got into the flow,' Marshall said. ``We got a good game out of Carlos tonight. Tonight's game was big for us. I felt we played good basketball.'

The Rebels' next test is at No. 6 Kansas State this Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas State lost at Florida 57-44 on Saturday.

The Rebels had lost at No. 20 Louisville a week ago, and against UC Santa Barbara at home three days earlier. Against the Gauchos, the Rebels only shot 29 percent from the field. They also blew a nine-point second half lead at Louisville.

``Kansas State is a real good team,' said Kruger, who played and coached there. ``They're a real physical team. They bang you around a lot.'

Marshall and the Rebels lost to Kansas State last December in Las Vegas, 95-80.

``It was a pretty tough game last year and we expect the same this year,' Marshall said. ``We believe (we can beat them). They're a good ball club. We can't have costly turnovers that will allow the crowd to get into the game. We have to take the crowd out.'