LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team (0-1) dropped its season opener 85-71 to Southern at the Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday night.
Four players on each team scored in double figures on the night with Tai'Reon Joseph from Southern (1-0) leading the way with a game-high 22 points. Isaiah Cottrell was the Runnin' Rebels' leader in points with 18.
STAT OF THE GAME: Joseph and Brandon Davis each made three 3-pointers for the Jaguars, who finished the game shooting 61.1% from 3-point range (11 of 18) and 56.7% overall on field goals (34 of 60).
TURNING POINT: Southern used a 16-0 run over a five-minute stretch in the first half to take a 25-11 lead with 7:56 to go. The Jaguars increased their advantage to 19 points at the half, 40-21.
SECOND HALF: After shooting just 3 of 16 on 3-pointers in the first half (18.8%) and 7 of 26 overall (26.9%) over the first 20 minutes, UNLV performed better in the second half by making 6 of 13 3-pointers (46.2%) and 16 of 28 from the field (57.1%). However, Southern led by as many as 26 early in the second half, which proved too much to overcome. UNLV cut it to 13 with just under two minutes to play.
QUOTABLE: "That's not the result we wanted obviously, we were just a little timid. We came out on our heels. They came out and played hard for 40 minutes. We still have a positive outlook for this group. We will go watch the film and get into practice tomorrow, and we'll be a different team on Saturday that's for sure."
- UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger.
OTHER NOTES:
- Dedan Thomas Jr. scored 14 points and had five assists and two steals in his collegiate debut.
- UNLV was without Kalib Boone, who was serving a one-game suspension, and Shane Nowell, because of injury.
- Cottrell added a team-high and career-high-tying seven rebounds with a career-high four blocked shots.
- Southern outscored UNLV in bench points 43-5 and points in the paint 38-24.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,194 straight games.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will conclude its season-opening two-game homestand against Stetson on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center. The 4 p.m. game will also be Anderson Hunt Day as the Runnin' Rebel legend will have his jersey retired during a ceremony at halftime.
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.
