Perfect start to conference play continues as UNLV outshoots Air Force

UNLV entered the final day of 2024 as one of four undefeated teams in the Mountain West and will enter the first day of 2025 the same way.

In the program’s first Mountain West road game of the season, the Runnin’ Rebels defeated the Air Force Falcons, 77-58, Tuesday, Dec. 31 from Clune Arena. It counted as the team’s first win away from the state of Nevada this season.

“In six halves since we got back from Dayton — we’ve had five pretty good ones,” head coach Kevin Kruger said. “Just continuing to learn each other and play for each other.”

Still early in the season, UNLV sports an 8-5 overall record as it prepares to continue its conference slate. It will proceed with a Saturday, Jan. 4 date against the San Jose State Spartans with tip-off slated for 3 p.m. from the Thomas & Mack Center.

UNLV used a 10-0 run in the middle of the first half to begin pulling away for its first road win of the season. Air Force’s counter in the form of an 8-0 run shortly after wasn’t enough despite the field goal attempt disparity.

The Falcons’ defensive pressure allowed for the team to have 12 more field goal attempts than their opponents at one point of the first half. Despite the win, the Rebels were forced into 17 turnovers which turned into 20 points for the home team.

Air Force would get as close as five points in the first half before UNLV pushed it back to 12 points before halftime. It was two straight three-pointers that gave the visitors back the edge as part of six made threes in the first half on nine tries.

Things were really broken open coming out of halftime when the Rebels started the second half with a 14-3 run before eventually leading by 28 points. To make matters worse, the home team had a scoreless stretch of more than four and a half minutes more than halfway through the second half.

Reserve guard Jailen Bedford turned in another 10-point first half with timely buckets coming time and time again. He gave his team its first lead with a made three before giving the team a 10-point lead on a layup at the rim.

Bedford finished with 11 points on 50% shooting on the night. He accounted for 11 of the team’s 20 bench points.

First-year Rebel Julian Rishwain led the team with 16 points including four made three-pointers. Fellow starter Jaden Henley added 14 points alongside Rishwain.

The pair of Rishwain and Henley tallied five of the team’s nine made threes.

Junior forward Bear Cherry reached double-figures late in regulation on his way to 13 points on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. As a team, UNLV shot 57% from the field en route to the win.

Sophomore guard Dedan Thomas Jr. was held to nine points, ending a stretch of 12 straight games of at least 10 points scored to start the year.