Nov. 11, 2017
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Three Runnin' Rebels recorded double-doubles as the UNLV men's basketball team defeated Florida A&M, 108-66, in its season opener Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Freshman forward Brandon McCoy had a double-double with almost three minutes left in the first half and finished with game highs of 25 points and 18 rebounds. Junior forward Shakur Juiston added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while senior guard Jordan Johnson had a game-high 10 assists with 10 points (just one turnover).
Senior guard Jovan Mooring and freshman forward Tervell Beck were also in double figures in scoring with 21 and 13 points, respectively. The Rattlers were led by Desmond Williams' 21 points and Isaiah Martin's 20 points and 10 rebounds.
FAST START: UNLV raced out to a 10-2 lead to start the game and increased the margin to 28-8 with just under nine minutes left in the first half. The Runnin' Rebels held a 56-27 lead at the half.
100 POINTS: UNLV scored 100 points for the first time since last season vs. Northern Arizona (110 points on Nov. 22, 2016).
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV outscored FAMU 66-26 in points in the paint.
RUNNIN' REBEL OF THE GAME: In his debut, McCoy had 11 points and 12 rebounds by halftime. He finished the game 11 of 19 from the field, adding three assists and two blocks in just 23 minutes of action.
QUOTABLE:"I'm pleased with the result and the effort. It was important we come out and show the fans how hard we'll play. We do have a lot to clean up. "The ball is rolling now. We've got another one Wednesday and then the hits just keep on coming. We'll lace 'em up and get back to work.
"I thought he (McCoy) had the jitterbugs early. Everybody's going to overanalyze everything he does. That's what comes with the ranking. I thought he did a good job." - UNLV Head Coach Marvin Menzies
NOTES:
- UNLV has now made at least one 3-pointer in 1,007 straight games.
- Juiston was 9 of 11 from the field, while Mooring was 7 of 10 from the field and 5 of 8 from 3-point range. Beck was 5 of 7 from the field.
- As a team, UNLV shot 52.6 percent from the field.
- The Runnin' Rebels made 19 of 24 free throws (79.2 percent)
- Johnson made all eight of his free-throw attempts.
- Mooring had four assists and just one turnover.
- Freshman guard Amauri Hardy scored eight points, had four assists and no turnovers. - UNLV scored 12 fast-break points and its bench outscored the Rattlers' 33-14.
- UNLV's largest lead was 49.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will continue its season-opening homestand with a game Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center vs. Prairie View A&M. Tickets may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, on the phone at 702-739-FANS and at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.
