Jan. 27, 2018 LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV me n's basketball team (15-6, 4-4 MW) defeated San Diego State, 88-78, Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. The win snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Aztecs and was the Runnin' Rebels' first at home in Mountain West play.
UNLV had four players score in double figures, led by junior forward Shakur Juiston's double-double of 21 points and game high of 11 rebounds. Freshman forward Brandon McCoy also scored 21 points, while senior guard Jordan Johnson had 14 and senior guard Jovan Mooring added 12.
The Aztecs (12-8, 4-5 MW) also had four score in double figures, led by Jeremy Hemsley's 19 points.
THE TURNING POINT: UNLV led by 12 points with seven minutes to play, but San Diego State trimmed its deficit to just two points (77-75) with 4:30 to go. Back-to-back jumpers from McCoy and Mooring, then two free throws by Johnson put the Runnin' Rebels back up by eight with just over three minutes left.
RUNNIN' REBELS OF THE GAME: In addition to his ninth double-double of the season, Juiston had five assists and a career-high four steals. He was 10 of 13 from the field. McCoy was 9 of 12 shooting, while grabbing seven rebounds and blocking two shots.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV shot 58.6 percent from the field for the game (34 of 58). The Runnin' Rebels made 63.3 percent of their shots during the second half (19 of 30).
QUOTABLE: "Great game, great effort. Really proud of our guys. Happy for them to get the monkey off their back of the streak of losses against a phenomenal program that has been well-built and sustained over the years.
"I think that our guys can be so much better. There is so much they can learn still, but they are buying in even more and more. The energy and effort again was there tonight, but for a longer period of time. I thought the focus was better and they were a little more disciplined with the scouting report. If we can just make incremental steps, we will get ourselves in a position to keep winning games." - UNLV head coach Marvin Menzies.
NOTES:
- The win also snapped a seven-game losing streak at the Thomas & Mack Center to SDSU.
- It was UNLV's first win vs. San Diego State since 2013.
- UNLV went to the free-throw line 12 more times than the Aztecs.
- UNLV shot over 50 percent for the 13th time this season.
- UNLV led in points in the paint, 48-30.
- UNLV has now made at least one 3-pointer in 1,027 straight games.
- Freshman forward Tervell Beck started in place of junior guard Kris Clyburn. It was the first time this season that UNLV changed its starting lineup.
- The game had eight lead changes and four ties.
- The game was tied at the half, 38-38.
- Lil Jon did "Lights, Please" live on the court before introductions
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: The Runnin' Rebels will remain home at the Thomas & Mack Center to host San Jose State on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-FANS (3267) or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.
