LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team ran away from Hofstra in the second half en route to a 74-56 win at the Thomas & Mack Center Thursday night.
Three Runnin' Rebels scored in double figures and Luis Rodriguez recorded his first double-double of the season. Keylan Boone scored a team-high 16 points, while Rodriguez added 15 points with a season- and game-high 10 rebounds and Jackie Johnson III contributed 10 points for UNLV (5-5).
Hofstra (7-5) was led by Darlinstone Dubar's game-high 17 points and Tyler Thomas' 13.
THE TURNING POINT: UNLV's 12-point halftime lead (36-24) was erased less than four minutes into the second half thanks to a 16-2 Hofstra spurt to start the game's final 20 minutes. UNLV pushed ahead, however ,and used a 9-0 run over a two-minute stretch to create some separation, taking an 11-point lead at 55-44 with 9:28 to go. The Runnin' Rebels extended their lead to 19 points with just over two minutes to go.
DEFENSE WINS: UNLV held Hofstra to just 29% shooting in the first half (9 of 31), including 4 of 14 on 3-pointers (28.6%). The Pride finished at 37.9% shooting overall (22 of 58), including 32.0% on 3-pointers (8 of 25). They entered the game ranked fifth in the country in 3-pointers made per game.
REBOUNDING ADVANTAGE: UNLV won the rebounding battle for just the third time this season, recording nine more than Hofstra (39-30).
QUOTABLE: "Another great battle against another good team. This one as much as any that we can look at was a definite team win. Major contributions across the board and a really good, positive way to finish the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule. With getting Shane back healthy with some more reps and then of course Jalen (Hill) coming back in a couple of weeks over the next handful of days when we get back, there is a lot to be positive about right now."
OTHER NOTES:
- It was UNLV's first game at the Thomas & Mack Center in 23 days as the venue was hosting the National Finals Rodeo.
- Rodriguez and
Keylan Boone each made three 3-pointers.
-
Kalib Boone added nine points, while
Dedan Thomas Jr. and
Justin Webster each scored eight. Thomas Jr. added a game-high seven assists.
- UNLV recorded seven blocks on the night with a career-high three from
Rob Whaley Jr.
- UNLV had 19 assists as a team, tying for its second-highest total of the season.
- UNLV turned the ball over just two times in the second half, totaling 10 for the game.
- UNLV shot 53.6% in the first half (15 of 28) and finished the game at 48.3% (29 of 60).
- The Runnin' Rebels made 10 of 28 3-pointers.
- UNLV led in points in the paint (36-22), second chance points (18-12) and bench scoring (29-13).
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,203 straight games.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV's next game will be on Sunday, Dec 31 vs. Carroll College at 12 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.
TICKETS: UNLV men's basketball
tickets may be purchased online at UNLVtickets.com, on the phone by calling 702-739-3267 or in person at the TMC Box Office.
