Nov. 2, 2010

Final Stats | Postgame Press Conference
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The 2010-11 UNLV men's basketball season began with a bang as the Runnin' Rebels opened up play with their first of two home exhibitions, knocking off Grand Canyon University, 90-66, at the Thomas and Mack Center Tuesday night.

UNLV shot a blistering 72.7 percent (32-of-44) from the field for the game, including nearly 83 percent in the first hal,f while limiting the Antelopes to just a 37.0 percent (20-of-54) clip.

The Rebels hit on all cylinders, taking advantage of 18 GCU turnovers to the tune of 22 points and more than doubled the amount of points in the paint at 46-22.

Anthony Marshall, one of five UNLV players to hit double digits in the scoring column, had a game-high 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting and also added three assists and a pair of rebounds and steals. Justin Hawkins followed close behind with 13 points, while Derrick Jasper chipped in 12, Carlos Lopez 11 and Oscar Bellfield had 10.

The Runnin' Rebels opened up the game with a 7-2 run and never looked back. Marshall's layup just over five minutes into the opening half secured a 10-point lead at 18-8 and was the start of a 22-6 run for UNLV.

The lead in the first half climbed as high as 30 following Bellfield's second 3-pointer of the half with just over three minutes to go.

The dominating performance marked UNLV's 13th straight exhibition win and the 24-point margin was the largest since the 2007 season when the Runnin' Rebels handed Washburn a 77-47 defeat.

With both teams trading baskets for most of the second half, the Antelopes cut into the deficit with a 13-4 run in just over two minutes, closing the gap to 79-60. Quintrell Thomas' dunk at the 4:36 mark sparked an 8-1 swing, raising the lead into the mid-20s where it would remain.

The Runnin' Rebels will be back in action a week from today as they host Washburn in the final exhibition of the season. UNLV has won four straight games over Washburn by over 18 points per game.