LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team (2-0) defeated Incarnate Word (0-2) 88-63 Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Keshon Gilbert recorded a career high in scoring for a second straight game, this time with 23 points on 6 of 10 shooting, including 4 of 5 on 3-pointers, 7 of 8 from the free throw line, while adding a career-high four steals. Jackie Johnson III added 13 points on 5 of 9 from the field, while Luis Rodriguez added 10 points (5 of 6)with a career-high six steals, six rebounds and five assists. The three combined to shoot 64% from the field.
The Cardinals had four players in double-figure scoring, led by Charlie Yoder's 15 points.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV shot 62.5% from the field and 57.1% on 3-pointers in the first half, finishing the game at 55.4% and 46.7%, respectively.
STAT OF THE GAME II: It marked the second straight game that UNLV forced 25+ turnovers as Southern committed 28 on Monday night and UIW turned it over 25 times.
WIRE TO WIRE: UNLV had the lead for 38:30 of the 40 minutes played, increasing its lead to as many as 28 points late. The Runnin' Rebels started the game on a 12-2 spurt and led by 17 at 24-7 halfway through the first half. UNLV led 43-29 at the half.
QUOTABLE: "I thought it was a really great effort defensively. Again, forcing 25 turnovers is what gets things going for us. I'm really proud and happy for them. We shot it well, shared the ball, got it in the paint, kicked it out, swung it, drove it - a lot of good plays for each other. We were able to get downhill and get to the free throw line, so that's going to have to be our M.O. offensively, just sharing it, driving and kicking, relocating, but all-in-all I thought it was a pretty good night for us." - UNLV head coach
Kevin Kruger
NOTES:
- UNLV got to the free-throw line 26 more times than UIW did (29-3).
- The Runnin' Rebels out-rebounded the Cardinals 36-33.
- UNLV recorded 13 or more steals for the second straight game as it had 17 vs. UIW.
- UNLV held the Cardinals to just 41.9% shooting, including 32.3% on 3-pointers.
- UNLV scored 29 points off turnovers.
- The Runnin' Rebels outscored the Cardinals 42-22 in points in the paint, 23-6 on fast breaks and 33-13 in bench scoring.
- It is the second straight year that UNLV has started the season 2-0.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,163 straight games.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will continue its season-opening four-game homestand at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. as it hosts No. 24 Dayton. Tickets are on sale at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-FANS or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.
