Nevada defeated UNLV in a physical game, 71-65, on Saturday night in Reno, Nevada.
UNLV (11-11, 5-6 Mountain West) dropped its fourth game in a row in conference play and currently sits sixth in the Mountain West.
Nick Davidson led the Wolf Pack in scoring, posting 14 points and six rebounds. The junior forward shot 7 of 9 from the free-throw line.
The beginning of the game set the tone for the physicality to come. UNLV started things off by getting the ball to big man Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry, who scored the first five points for the Rebels.
UNLV came out with the intensity seemingly lacking for most of its games this season.
Dedan “DJ” Thomas, the leading scorer for UNLV, came into Reno after scoring 22 points in the loss to Utah State.
The Wolf Pack (12-10, 4-7 Mountain West) played in a zone for most of the first half. That zone created pressure, which resulted in the 15 turnovers Nevada forced throughout the game.
Nevada limited Thomas in the first half. The Wolf Pack held Thomas to just three points, all coming from free-throw shots. Thomas shot 3 of 6 at the free-throw line, a frustrating first half for the sophomore guard.
The sophomore also found himself on the bench halfway through the first.
The staff’s decision was puzzling, given that Thomas averages almost 36 minutes a game and played 40 minutes in the previous game against Utah State.
Thomas was vocal at practice about his team’s need to start games faster. UNLV found themselves off to a good start out rebounding the Wolf Pack, as the Runnin’ Rebels trailed going into halftime, 33-30
Out of the half, the physicality continued. Turnovers from both teams, followed by a missed 3-point attempt by Julian Rishwain, led to a UNLV find that put Davidson on the free-throw line, extending the Wolf Pack lead.
From there, more sporadic play forced UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger to call a timeout to settle back into the original game plan.
Out of the timeout, the Runnin’ Rebels went on a 9-1 run, putting them within four points, which was sparked by a Thomas 3-point shot.
From there, UNLV continued to chip away in hostile territory. One steal and a few stops later, the Runnin’ Rebels took a 57-55 lead after Thomas found Jaden Henley, who connected for a 3-point shot from the elbow.
Nevada’s Xavier DuSell answered back, connecting for a 3-point shot of his own to give the Wolf Pack the lead again.
Now trailing by four late in the second half, UNLV pushed the ball up the court. The ball found Rishwain, who connected for his first 3-point make after shooting 0 of 5 from deep throughout the game.
The senior connected again a possession later, tying the game 63-63 with two and a half minutes left.
Kobe Saunders of the Wolf Pack, fouled by UNLV forward Pape N’Diaye, made both free-throw shots to put Nevada up 65-63.
The Runnin’ Rebels put the ball in their star Thomas’s hands like they have all year. Thomas connected on a dribble stop jump-shot to tie the game, 65-65.
Nevada, on the other end, gave the ball to DuSell, who connected on a mid-range jump shot, sending Lawlor Events Center into a frenzy. With 47 seconds left to play, the Wolf Pack held a 67-65 lead.
Nevada held UNLV scoreless for the remainder of the game as the Wolf Pack won the 100th edition of the Silver State series by six points.
Henley led UNLV in scoring with 14 points, along with Cherry, who scored 12 points and went 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. Henley kept UNLV in the game, hitting tough finishes and shots.
Thomas found his footing in the second half as the sophomore ended the game with 12 points and six assists on the night.
UNLV struggled to keep the ball. Nevada forced 15 turnovers on the night. The Wolf Pack defense smothered UNLV and forced steals that turned into points. Nevada turned 15 turnovers into 17 points.
Up next, UNLV returns home after back-to-back road trips. The Runnin’ Rebels prepare to host Boise State inside the Thomas and Mack Center at 11 p.m. ET Tuesday. The game will be broadcast live on CBSSN.
