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LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The UNLV men’s basketball team (8-5, 2-0) led by as many as 28 points in a 77-58 win at Air Force (3-10 ,0-2) on Tuesday afternoon.
It was the Runnin’ Rebels’ third straight win and fourth victory in their last five games as they improved their Mountain West record to 2-0.
Four UNLV players scored in double figures, led by Julian Rishwain’s 16 points as he made 4 of 7 3-pointers.
Air Force was led by Ethan Taylor’s 14 points. He also had eight rebounds and four steals.
TURNING POINT: After a slow start UNLV found itself down 10-6 almost six minutes into the game, but a 20-3 run over a five-plus minute stretch gave the Runnin’ Rebels a 26-13 lead with 8:30 to go in the first half. Air Force cut it to five with 5:30 until halftime, but UNLV increased its advantage from there and led 38-26 at the break.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV outshot Air Force 57.1% (28 of 49) to 33.3% (19 of 57).
“We are sticking together, doing what each other expects to do. In the six halves that we have played since we got back from Dayton, we have had five pretty good ones. We are continuing to learn each other and play for each other. I thought today, minus a little stretch where they hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the second half, we were about as disciplined and had the most conviction in terms of what we wanted to do and what we wanted to be like from the scouting report in practice to the game and that’s why we were able to have a steady offense and defense throughout today,” said UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger.
NOTES:
– UNLV improved its all-time record against Air Force to 48-16.
– The Runnin’ Rebels have won five of the last six against the Falcons and 10 of the last 12.
– Jaden Henley scored 14 points, Bear Cherry added 13 and Jailen Bedford contributed 11 (10 in the first half).
– Jalen Hill led the team in rebounds with a season-high-tying nine, while Bedford grabbed six.
– Dedan Thomas Jr. scored nine points and had three assists.
– The five leading scorers for UNLV combined to shoot 24 of 40 (.600).
– Rishwain had a season-high-tying three steals.
– Luke Kearney had nine rebounds for Air Force.
– UNLV outrebounded Air Force 37-32, marking the second straight game it had more rebounds than its opponent.
– UNLV shot 59.1% from the field in the first half (13 of 22), including 66.7% on 3-pointers (6 of 9).
– UNLV finished the game making 56.3% of its 3-pointers (9 of 16), while Air Force was just 22.9% (8 of 35).
– UNLV scored 26 points in the paint.
– UNLV’s bench contributed 20 points.
– UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,240 straight games.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN’ REBELS: UNLV will return home to host San Jose State on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.
TICKETS: Tickets to UNLV men’s basketball home games at the Thomas & Mack Center may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-3267 or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.
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