Shorthanded Runnin’ Rebels have more than enough to dispatch Waves

UNLV got another big win to improve to 3-1 in the early going of this season despite battling injuries.

The Runnin’ Rebels did away with the Pepperdine Waves, 80-59, Wednesday, Jan. 20 from the Thomas & Mack Center. The game came after a week off for the program.

In total, it was UNLV’s third game in the last 12 days as it continues this six-game homestand to open the new season. Up next, the team will battle New Mexico State Saturday, Nov. 23 with tip-off slated for 4 p.m.from inside the Thomas & Mack Center.

Pressure from the Rebels was the recipe to lead the team to its latest win. UNLV would force 11 turnovers in the first half while scoring 19 points off of them.

In the first 20-minute session, the team built a lead as large as 29 points. At one point of the first half, Pepperdine went without a point for more than six minutes.

To close the first half, the Waves went without a point for another four-plus minutes as the Rebels went on an 8-0 run to take a, 46-17, lead into the halftime break.

Not long after returning from the intermission, UNLV would extend its lead to 31 points and eventually 38 in the second half. Pepperdine had been held to under 40% shooting for the majority of the game before finishing with a 43%-mark from the field including six makes on 17 attempts from three-point territory.

Coupled with its tough defense, the Rebels were aided by some hot shooting to start the game. The team would eventually connect on 12 of its 24 three-point tries in the win. Freshman center Pape N’Diaye even joined in on the action, knocking down his first collegiate three.

In the first half, UNLV shot 64% from the field with a 6-for-11 finish from deep. Ultimately, the team shot 49% from the floor en route to the win.

Reserve guard Brooklyn Hicks scored 16 points off-the-bench for Kruger’s Rebels while shooting 7-for-11 from the field.

Transfer guard Julian Rishwain was one of four starters to reach double-digit scoring in the win. He added 12 points on just six field goal attempts.

First-year Division I forward Bear Cherry continued his fast start in his junior season with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Through four games so far this season, he is shooting a combined 26-for-30 from the field to start his UNLV career.

The final two double-figure scorers were in the backcourt for the Rebels with 13 points from sophomore guard Dedan Thomas Jr. and 11 more from senior guard Jailen Bedford.

UNLV played without guards Jace Whiting, Jaden Henley and forward Rob Whaley Jr..