Last night at the Thomas & Mack Center, UNLV’s men’s basketball team crushed Pepperdine 80-59, solidifying their early-season form. Bear Cherry extended his prolific scoring streak with 14 points on 5 of 7 shooting, while Brooklyn Hicks sparked the attack with a career-high 16 points from the bench, sinking 7 of 11 shots. According to a report from 2News, Dedan Thomas Jr.’s accurate shooting contributed an additional 13 points, helping UNLV to a 3-1 record.
The Runnin’ Rebels capitalized on a 9-0 run early in the first half to increase their lead to 46-17 by halftime in a contest that saw UNLV take control from the start. Even though the Waves scored eight more points than the Rebels in the second half, they were unable to chip away at the insurmountable lead that UNLV’s offense had established. According to UNLV’s official athletics website, Stefan Todorovic led Pepperdine’s effort and scored 19 points during the losing effort.
Not to be understated, UNLV’s defensive skills were crucial in the first half, preventing 16 turnovers and limiting Pepperdine to a pitiful 28.0% shooting percentage. UNLV was able to take advantage of this defensive chokehold and led points off turnovers 24–7. The Rebels’ remarkable shooting percentages—64.0% from the field and 54.5% on 3-pointers in the first half—showcase how they dominated the game’s tempo and flow. According to UNLV’s official website, head coach Kevin Kruger stated, “It was without a doubt our best 20 minutes.”
With a robust 49.1% shooting percentage from the field and an equally impressive 50% from beyond the arc, UNLV continued their run of statistical supremacy. With six rebounds, Pape N’Diaye led the rebounding effort and helped the club play well as a whole. According to the UNLV athletics website, the Rebels’ tenacity and consistency from the perimeter are unquestionably record-setting, as they made at least one 3-pointer in an NCAA-record 1,231 consecutive games.
The triumph prepares UNLV for Saturday’s matchup with New Mexico State, the last game of their homestand. To ensure they don’t miss a second of this exciting season, fans who are keen to watch the Runnin’ Rebels’ momentum continue can get tickets through the team’s official ticketing outlets. With key players sidelined by injuries, the squad’s depth was tested, but the Rebels, undeterred, showcased their adaptability and strength a testament to the team’s collective resilience moving forward.
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