LAS VEGAS — If it seemed like University of Hawai'i quarterback Greg Alexander was playing a private game of catch with slot receiver Kealoha Pilares in the first half last night, it almost was.

Pilares caught 12 of his game-high and personal-high 13 passes in the first half of the Warriors' 34-33 loss to Nevada-Las Vegas.

"I'm thankful the ball came to me but I would have liked a win," Pilares said.

Pilares, who finished with 146 yards, is one of five players in UH history with 13 catches in a game. Davone Bess, Chad Owens, Jason Rivers and Ryan Grice-Mullen are the others.

"Every time I ran a route it seemed like it (the ball) came to me in the first half," Pilares said.

Alexander said, "we had him going under (the defense) and he was the open guy, so I just dumped it to him. We take what the defense gave us and he did a good job of making some good yards after the catch with it."

UH A BIG DRAW AGAIN

The game drew 29,717, the 14th largest crowd in UNLV history and the third largest involving UH.

UH and UNLV officials estimated that Hawai'i fans made up "about 40 percent" of last night's crowd.

UH's last appearance in Sam Boyd Stadium drew 38,125 in 2007, the fourth largest crowd in UNLV history.

The Warriors' 2003 visit lured 34,287, the seventh largest crowd for the Rebels.

UH has accounted for five of UNLV's top 20 home crowds.

TAILGATE TIME FOR FANS

An estimated 1,500 or more Hawai'i fans attended a downtown Las Vegas afternoon tailgate party prior to the game.

A motorcade of 52 buses transported UH fans to the game from downtown.

VEGAS' RICE A UH CAPTAIN

UH linebacker Joshua Rice, a senior from Las Vegas, was one of the UH captains last night.

TAYLOR INJURES ANKLE

Wide receiver Jovonte Taylor left the game in the second quarter with an injury to his left ankle.

He said he expects to play in the Louisiana Tech game.

Defensive lineman Vaughn Meatoga also suffered an ankle injury and said he expects to be ready.

Head coach Greg McMackin said he also expects to have defensive ends Fetaiagogo "John" Fonoti and Paipai Falemalu back for Louisiana Tech also.

"We need those guys for the outside rush," McMackin said.

Fonoti has missed three games with a hyperextended left knee cap and Falemalu missed UNLV with a right ankle sprain.

RIVAL FANS CO-EXIST

One of the more curious — and potentially combustible — sights in college football was the UNLV student seating section which was a mix of Rebels and Warriors fans.

A large number of students from Hawai'i — or from families that were former isle residents — root for UH amid their Rebel faithful classmates.

"That's got to be one of the most unusual circumstances in football," said Mark Wallington, UNLV sports information director. "They are UNLV students but rooting for Hawai'i. I don't know where else you'd see something like that in such numbers."

A spokesman for the UNLV admissions office was unable to say how many Hawai'i students are attending the school.