LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball used a strong second-half performance to defeat UC Riverside 66-53 in its non-conference finale Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Dedan Thomas Jr. led the Runnin' Rebels (6-5) with 15 points and five assists, while Bear Cherry added 12 points on 6 of 8 shooting with three blocks. Julian Rishwain led UNLV in rebounding with seven, while adding three steals, and Jaden Henley recorded a career-high-tying five steals.

The Highlanders (8-5) were led by Barrington Hargress' 17 points. Nate Pickens added 10 points and was one of three UCR players with six rebounds.

TURNING POINT: UNLV used a 10-0 run over a three-plus minute stretch deep into the second half to take a 12-point lead at 55-43 with eight minutes to go. The Runnin' Rebels would eventually increase their advantage to as many as 18 points late in the game.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV shot 55.2% from the field (16 of 29) in the second half, while holding UC Riverside to just 24.3% (9 of 37).

QUOTABLE: "I'm very proud of them, especially there in the second half. We were locked in, stayed together, followed the scouting report, trusted each other and made plays for each other. The ball wasn't going in for us today but we did a really good job during a stretch in the second half. We had really good, clean defensive possessions that got our offense going and got some good looks for us. It definitely makes this little break much better before we start conference play." - UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger.

NOTES: 
- UNLV improved its all-time record against UC Riverside to 16-1. It was the Runnin' Rebels' 15th straight victory against the Highlanders.
- It was UNLV's first home game in a 28-day span.
- UNLV held UC Riverside to an opponent season-low 28.8% shooting for the game (19 of 66). 
- UNLV missed all 10 of its 3-point attempts in the first half, finishing the contest 3 of 19 from behind the arc.
- UC Riverside out-rebounded UNLV 45-38, but UNLV led in points in the paint 40-20.
- UNLV held a two-point lead at halftime, 31-29.
- There were six lead changes and five times throughout the game, but UNLV held the outright lead for over 35 minutes of action.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,238 straight games.

NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will open Mountain West play on Saturday, Dec. 28 against Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center at 7 p.m.

TICKETS: Tickets to UNLV men's basketball home games at the Thomas & Mack Center may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-3267 or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.