Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The 21st-ranked UNLV Runnin' Rebels hit the
road for the first time this season, as they tangle with the Portland Pilots
in non-conference action at the Chiles Center on Tuesday night.
UNLV, which hosted the Global Sports Classic at the Thomas & Mack Center
earlier this season, recently entertained the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in Las
Vegas over the weekend and took care of the islanders with a 77-63 victory.
The win was the third in a row for UNLV, the team's only loss thus far coming
against Oregon by just four points, 83-79.
As for the Pilots, they've been unable to put together consistent efforts from
one game to the next, alternating wins and losses over the course of the first
seven games as a result. Over the weekend, Portland was taken down by
Washington, 72-60, on the road, which means the squad is now one game under
.500.
This game is the first between the programs since 1967, back when the Runnin'
Rebels won a pair of outings in consecutive days on the road. UNLV took both
games by double figures, with Elburt Miller posting a UNLV record 55 points in
the first-ever matchup.
First-half play was key for the Runnin' Rebels as they knocked down 58.8
percent of their field goal attempts, including 5-of-7 behind the three-point
line, as they took a 49-27 advantage at the break, en route to a comfortable
double-digit win in front of the hometown crowd yet again. Anthony Bennett led
four players in double figures with his 16 points, adding eight rebounds as
well for the hosts. Savon Goodman chipped in 13 points and seven boards, Mike
Moser and Katin Reinhardt 10 points apiece, the latter adding seven assists
which was second only to Anthony Marshall who had eight dishes. UNLV finished
with 16 turnovers, but that was still one less than a Hawaii squad that was
limited to a mere 1-of-18 behind the three-point line. Moser, who averaged a
double-double for the Rebels last season with 14.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg, has had
some lackluster efforts in the early going for the team in 2012-13, currently
averaging 12.3 points and 98.2 boards per contest. Moser shot a modest 33.1
percent from three-point range a year ago, but this time around he is hitting
only 17.6 percent, which is more of a reason for him to remain in the paint as
much as possible.
Portland managed to move out to an early three-point lead in the first half
against Washington State on Saturday, but it was short-lived as the Cougars
held the visitors to just seven field goals in the first half. Despite holding
the hosts to just 36.4 percent from the floor in the frame, Portland still
trailed by double figures at the break, en route to the 12-point setback. The
Pilots were paced by Ryan Nicholas with 17 points and a game-high nine
rebounds, shooting 5-of-9 behind the three-point line as the team overall
knocked down 11-of-25 out on the perimeter. Portland has been playing much
better in the last couple of games, combining for just 13 turnovers in two
outings, after averaging 17 miscues per game in the first five. Nicholas, who
has been guilty of his share of turnovers, continues to lead the team in
scoring with 13.4 ppg, and he is also tops on the glass (8.9 rpg), while Kevin
Bailey puts up 11.1 ppg, but could be even more productive if not for the foul
trouble that has seen him disqualified three times already.
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