Bey brings it, takes it in Vegas return

VEGAS Madness was just getting started on the men’s side when a hometown kid was introduced to a hometown crowd at T-mobile Arena at high noon Wednesday.

Former Las Vegas High standout Tyler Bey was the first Colorado player introduced at the Pac-12 tournament. After shaking hands with Arizona State’s Mickey Mitchell, he trotted to the Buffaloes’ bench. One of the assistants steered him back onto the court to stand with teammates after their names were called.

The freshman with springs on the bottom of his soles insisted afterward he wasn’t nervous.

Best take him at his word based on these homecoming statistics: 14 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one blocked shot, zero turnovers. Two pushes to the chest in the waning seconds of a 97-85 Buffaloes’ victory, one of which put him on his keister.

Those 14 points equaled the former Wildcat’s career high.

The 10 rebounds topped his

previous best (but also were sort of typical).

The pushing and shoving at the end was sort of uncalled for.

Push comes to shove

With Colorado milking the clock as time was running out and assorted Sun Devils standing idly by, Bey KANTOWSKI

points before back-to-back blocked shots by UNLV’S Shakur Juiston and Brandon Mccoy, leading to a tying 3-pointer by Jordan Johnson (10 points, 12 assists).

Air Force then went ahead 81-79 before Juiston’s three-point play triggered the winning run.

“We kept reminding each other, ‘We’ve got to get a stop,’ ” said UNLV guard Jovan Mooring, who scored 17 points. “And we got the stops when