By GREG MENGELT

LAS VEGAS — Jake Heidbreder had eight points, four rebounds and three assists but it wasn’t enough in Air Force’s 78-44 loss at UNLV on Tuesday evening at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Heidbreder, a freshman from Floyd Central, went 3 for 7 from the field and 2 for 6 from behind the 3-points stripe in his 38 minutes of game action. Fellow freshman Ethan Taylor led the Falcons with 10 points, but this one was all Runnin’ Rebels.

UNLV (14-10, 6-5 Mountain West) led by 14 at halftime then outscored the Falcons 39-19 after the break. Senior guard Bryce Hamilton led UNLV with 24 points and five rebounds.

Heidbreder and the Falcons next travel San Diego State for an 8 p.m. game Saturday. The Aztecs (13-6, 5-3) have won five of their last eight games heading into Thursday night’s tilt at San Jose State (7-15, 0-10). The Air Force-San Diego State game will air on CBS Sports Network.