Keshon Gilbert
52
California Cal 0-2,0-0 Pac-12
55
Winner UNLV UNLV 2-0,0-0 Mountain West
California Cal
0-2,0-0 Pac-12
52
Final
55
UNLV UNLV
2-0,0-0 Mountain West
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
California Cal 29 23 52
UNLV UNLV 30 25 55

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Runnin' Rebels Improve To 2-0 With Win Over Cal

Bryce Hamilton led all scorers with 12 points and Michael Nuga added 10 for UNLV Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team (2-0) is two for two on the season as it won its second straight game to open the 2021-22 campaign, 55-52, against Cal Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Bryce Hamilton led all scorers with 12 points and Michael Nuga added 10 with six rebounds, while Royce Hamm Jr. led the Runnin' Rebels in boards with seven and blocks with two.

Cal (0-2) was led by Grant Anticevich's 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.
 


STAT OF THE GAME: The Runnin' Rebels held the Golden Bears to just 36.8% from the field (21 of 57), marking the second straight game they held their opponent to under 39% shooting.

FROM DEEP: After making just two 3-pointers in its season opener, UNLV put any concerns of poor outside shooting to rest as it made 10 from long range vs. Cal.

TURNING POINT: With the score tied at 46 with seven minutes to play, the Runnin' Rebels used a 7-2 spurt to take a five-point lead with 3 minutes left. Cal cut it to just one point at 53-52 with two minutes to go, but a Royce Hamm Jr. blocked shot with 27 seconds left and two free throws from Jordan McCabe at 12 seconds was the difference. Jordan Shepherd missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the end.

TOUGH DEFENSE DOWN THE STRETCH: UNLV allowed only two points in the final 2:30 of the game.



QUOTABLE: "We are just really proud of the team. There were a number of times where things could have gone the other way, but we just continued to fight and battle. We had some big plays down the stretch, and again, Keshon Gilbert just goes in and changes the flow of the game. It's fun to watch. He plays hard and the city is going to love him - he just plays basketball the way it's supposed to be played. And Donovan Williams goes in there and just plays as hard as he can. It was huge for us. Looking forward to watching the film and getting ready for Monday." - UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger

NOTES: 
- UNLV is 2-0 for the first time since 2017-18.
- UNLV recorded 14 assists on 21 made field goals, while Cal had nine on the same number.
- The Runnin' Rebels held Cal to 28.6% on 3-pointers (4 of 14).
- UNLV led by a point at halftime, 30-29.
- There were six lead changes and three ties throughout the game.
- UNLV is now 6-3 all-time against Cal, including 4-1 at home.
- The win snapped a two-game losing streak against the Golden Bears for UNLV.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,131 straight games.



NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will conclude its season-opening three-game homestand at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. as it hosts North Dakota State. Tickets are on sale at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-FANS or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office. 


 
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