Las Vegas, NV – The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels took on the Hofstra Pride Thursday night at the Thomas and Mack Center. UNLV opened the game on a 10-3 run to build an early lead and would improve their lead to 14-5 at the second media timeout. Hofstra would then hit three three-pointers on three of their next four possessions to cut UNLV’s lead to just four. UNLV would respond with a 7-0 run and would hold a 33-24 lead at halftime and then go on to win 74-56 to improve to 5-5 on the season. The Pride fell to 7-5.
Both teams shot the same percentage from beyond the arc and the free-throw line in the first half – 4-of-13 from 3 (30.8%) and 2-of-3 from the charity stripe (66.7%). UNLV was able to build their lead by nearly matching their season average of 12.1 assists per game with 10 in the first half, along with a 20-8 advantage in points in the paint. Graduate student guard Tyler Thomas was Hofstra’s leading scorer with five points but shot just 1-of-6 from the floor (2-of-2 FT). Fifth year senior guard Luis Rodriguez led UNLV with eight points (3-of-6 FG, 2-of-4 3PT).
Hofstra flipped the script in the second half, opening up on a 14-5 run to knot the game at 38, forcing UNLV to call a timeout. Both teams would trade baskets and free throws before the ball got knocked out of freshman guard Dedan Thomas Jr.’s hands. It somehow ended up in fifth year forward Kalib Boone’s. Boone would gather, go up and throw the ball down, getting fouled in the process. He would convert the and-one and that would ignite the Rebels. UNLV would force Hofstra to airball a shot and then into multiple turnovers that would turn into dunks from junior forward Rob Whaley Jr. and Rodriguez. The Runnin’ Rebels never looked back.
Junior guard Darlinstone Dubar did everything he could to keep the Pride in it, finishing with a team-high 17 points on 7-of-10 (3-of-5 3PT) shooting, but he and Thomas (13 points) were the only players to finish in double digits. Thomas had a rough shooting night, shooting a ghastly 4-of-20 from the floor (3-of-11 from 3, 2-of-2 FTs).
For UNLV, they got strong performances from Rodriguez and fifth-year forward Keylan Boone, both with nearly identical stat lines. Rodriguez would finish with a double-double, 15 points on 6-of-13 from the floor and a game-high 10 rebounds. Keylan Boone was a huge spark off the bench for the Rebels, finishing with a team-high 16 points to go with five rebounds and two blocks. Boone was constantly calling out offensive plays and defensive assignments, serving as a steadying presence any time Hofstra started to gain momentum, while Rodriguez hit timely three-pointers.
The Pride are heading to New York on December 30th to take on the St. John’s Red Storm at UBS Arena, home of the NHL’s New York Islanders. The Rebels have another home matchup on New Year’s Eve, where they’ll face off against the Carroll College Fighting Saints.
This article was written by Mason McFee, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.
