CHICAGO — Lon Kruger was beaming. Happy as a coach, proud as a dad.

Thanks to a shooting surge by his son Kevin, the UNLV Runnin' Rebels rallied for the school's biggest win since the 1991 team made the Final Four.

Kevin Kruger shook off a shooting slump, connecting on three straight 3-pointers late in the second half yesterday as UNLV beat second-seeded Wisconsin, 74-68, in the second round of the Midwest Regional.

"When we needed baskets and Kev was getting the opportunity and not doing it, then that hurts perhaps a little more," Lon Kruger said. "You hurt for him and his mom. But when he does it, it's a little extra special feeling for sure. I'm not going to deny that."

Kruger was shooting just 1 of 15 in the NCAAs — including 1 of 7 yesterday — when he found the range. He tied it with a 3, then hit another to give the Runnin' Rebels the lead with just under six minutes left.

"I just had a little faith," said Kevin Kruger, who finished with 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Seventh-seeded UNLV (30-6) led by 12 at the half, but Wisconsin (30-6) rallied with 11 straight points. A 16-2 run gave the Badgers a five-point lead.

That's when Kruger delivered. After his three 3-pointers, he was fouled on another long-range attempt and made all three free throws to make it 64-56 with a little more than three minutes left.

"I kept telling him, 'You are going to make some shots,' " said Wendell White, who led UNLV with 22 points.

Wisconsin's Kammron Taylor sank a 3-pointer and converted a three-point play with 59 seconds left to make it 70-67.

Curtis Terry had a free throw and a short jumper to give the Runnin' Rebels a five-point cushion with 29 seconds to go.

Taylor paced the Badgers with 24 points.