LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team (1-1) evened its record on the season with a 71-55 win over Stetson on Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center.
During halftime, Runnin' Rebel legend Anderson Hunt was honored as his jersey was hung in the rafters.
Jalen Hill recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds (one shy of his career high), while Luis Rodriguez was the team's leading scorer with 15 points and Dedan Thomas Jr. had a game-high nine assists with no turnovers.
Stetson (1-1) was led by Jalen Blackmon's 18 points and Aubin Gateretse's 16.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV held the Hatters to just 31.8% (21 of 66) shooting for the game. Stetson managed just 25.8% from the field in the first half (8 of 31) and 2 of 14 on 3-pointers (14.3%).
TURNING POINT: UNLV used a 14-2 run over three-plus minutes in the first half to take a 23-12 lead with 8:34 to play until halftime. The Runnin' Rebels held a 36-21 advantage at the break and led by as many as 26 points in the second half.
QUOTABLE: "Obviously a much better night. Much better intent from the start. We weren't passive at all. We were very assertive and aggressive on the defensive end, which led to a lot of good half-court offensive possessions for us and good transition opportunities. We shared the ball and tried to make plays for each other, but defensively we clearly had a mentality to help each other and I think it showed. Stetson shoots the ball incredibly well as a team, so we accomplished our goal of making their shots as difficult as we possibly could. I think that ended up being the difference."
- UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger.
OTHER NOTES:
- Hill was 5 of 8 from the field and made both of his 3-point attempts.
- Four Runnin' Rebel players each made two or more 3-pointers. UNLV made 10 in all for the game.
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Luis Rodriguez collected nine rebounds and
Jackie Johnson III added 10 points.
- UNLV had just five turnovers in the game after recording none in the first half.
- The Runnin' Rebels recorded five steals, while Stetson had none.
- UNLV scored 17 points off the Hatters' 11 miscues, while Stetson managed just three points off of UNLV's turnovers.
- UNLV led in fastbreak points 10-0.
- UNLV's bench outscored Stetson's 25-6.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,195 straight games.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will head out of town for its next three contests: at Pepperdine on Friday, Nov. 17, vs. Florida State at the Sunshine Slam in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Monday, Nov. 20, and then vs. Colorado or Richmond the following day. UNLV will return to the Thomas & Mack Center to host Akron on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
TICKETS: UNLV men's basketball
tickets may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-3267 or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.
