LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team won its second straight game as it defeated Fresno State 78-69 Tuesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Boone brothers combined to score 36 points for UNLV (11-9, 4-4). Kalib Boone had a game-high 21 points with three blocks, while Keylan Boone recorded his second double-double of the season with 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Luis Rodriguez and Dedan Thomas Jr. each added 12 points, with Thomas Jr. dishing out six assists.
Fresno State (9-12, 2-6) was led by Enoch Boakye's double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, along with five blocks and three steals. Isaiah Hill added 12 points, nine assists and three steals.
WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN: UNLV never trailed in the game. The Runnin' Rebels scored the game's first 10 points - all by Rodriguez - and led 20-5 halfway through the first half. The Bulldogs eventually cut the score to a one possession game on multiple occasions, but UNLV answered every time.
QUOTABLE: "That was a good college basketball game with a lot of fight between two very competitive teams. Fresno State does a good job of getting you out of what you want to, but our guys battled. We did a really good job in the first half of forcing turnovers, keeping them off the offensive glass and creating for each other. Our play at the beginning of the first half and at the end of it was the cushion that we needed to get the win. I'm happy for them and proud of them." - UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger.
OTHER NOTES:
- UNLV was again missing two key members of its team in
Jalen Hill (out of rest of season/ACL) and
Justin Webster (ankle).
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Kalib Boone scored 19 of his points in the second half.
- Fresno State shot 51.1% (23 of 45) from the field, while UNLV shot 45.0% (27 of 60).
- UNLV forced Fresno State into 15 first-half turnovers and 21 for the game.
- UNLV led in overall rebounding 35-28 and in offensive rebounds 13-4.
- UNLV also led in points in the paint 34-28 and in second-chance points 12-4.
- UNLV led 37-28 at halftime.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,213 straight games.
NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will remain at home for its next game, which is this Saturday as it hosts Wyoming at 5 p.m.
TICKETS: UNLV men's basketball tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-3267 or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.
