LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Michael Nuga scored a game- and season-high 21 points and Bryce Hamilton added 18 as the UNLV men's basketball team cruised past Seattle 76-56 Wednesday night at Mandalay Bay's Michelob Ultra Arena on the Las Vegas Strip.
Nuga shot 8 of 13 from the field, including 5 of 9 on 3-pointers, and dished out a career-high eight assists while committing just one turnover. He also grabbed five rebounds and had a steal and a block. Hamilton shot 8 of 9 from the field for the Runnin' Rebels (5-5).
Seattle (7-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Tyson Cameron's 14 points and Kobe Williamson's double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV shot a season-high 54.5% (30 of 55) from the floor for the game after making 66.7% (16 of 24) of its shots after halftime, including 50% (6 of 12) from 3-point range.
STRONG DEFENSE: The Redhawks managed just 34.4% (21 of 61) shooting for the game and UNLV limited them to 31.3% (10 of 32) in the second half.
OTHER RUNNIN' REBEL CONTRIBUTORS: Royce Hamm Jr. grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and Jordan McCabe dished out six assists and recorded three steals despite picking up his fourth foul early in the second half.
QUOTABLE: "It was good to see the guys bounce back. We had a tough stretch and to come back to Vegas, play hard and get the results they did, we are just really proud and happy for them. It is exciting that they were able to see the results of continuing to work hard in practice, continuing to battle and get back in the win column. That is important for us going forward." - UNLV head coach
Kevin Kruger
NOTES:
- UNLV improved to 8-3 all-time against Seattle in men's basketball. It was the first meeting since 1976.
- UNLV had 24 assists on its 30 made baskets.
- UNLV shot 40.7% (11 of 27) on 3-pointers.
- UNLV out-rebounded Seattle 42-32.
- UNLV recorded 34 points in the paint to Seattle's 20.
- UNLV's bench out-scored Seattle's 40-24.
- The win ended a three-game losing streak for UNLV.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,139 straight games.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will play one more game at Michelob Ultra Arena as the Thomas & Mack Center hosts the National Finals Rodeo. The Runnin' Rebels will face Hartford on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 12 p.m. For tickets, visit RunninRebelsOnTheStrip.com.
