FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Benedictine - Game 11

Photo Credit: UNLV Basketball

FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Benedictine – Game 11

UNLV (5-6) vs. Benedict (12-5)

UNLV destroys Benedictine on their way to their 4th straight win.

Although their opponent was an NAIA division opponent, the Runnin’ Rebels were at the top of their game Thursday night defeating the visiting Ravens by a score of 99 to 45. It was an offensive explosion for UNLV as they came a point shy of reaching 100 points for the first time this season. Their 4^th straight win improves their record to 5-6 while the Benedict Ravens get their 5^th loss falling to 12-5.

The Runnin’ Rebels have a great offensive performance in win.

UNLV was without star Bryce Hamilton as he is currently dealing with an ankle sprain that he suffered at the end of the second game against New Mexico. The Runnin’ Rebels already found out they lost point guard Marvin Coleman for the rest of the year earlier this week. Even without Hamilton, the rest of the team was extremely impressive on the offensive side of the ball. They had a total of 5 players score in double digits.

Mbacke Diong led the way with 22 points as it seems he gets better and better each and every game. David Jenkins Jr. also contributed 20 points shooting 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. Nicquel Blake got the start in place of Bryce Hamilton based off his impressive play over the past 2 weeks and he had 15 points. In a game like this, in which UNLV were in control the entire game and the score was lob sided, they were able to get some players more minutes than usual. This resulted in Moses Wood and Devin Tillis each add in 11 points of their own.

UNLV shot as a team 51% from the field and 40% from the 3 point land. Maybe the most impressive part of the Runnin’ Rebels performance on Thursday was the fact they only turned the ball over 2 times the entire game. No matter what team you play, only having 2 turnovers is impressive and that is something head coach TJ Otzelberger will have to be ecstatic about.

The Runnin’ Rebels did play well on the defensive side of the ball as well as holding the Ravens to only 45 points. Benedictine shot a low 21% from the field. Maurice Walton led them in scoring with 16 points as he was the only Raven in double-digit scoring. Every single player on their team shot below 50% from the field. The overall quality of the team and their players obviously play a big role in these numbers, however, UNLV must get some credit for dominating the way that they did as well.

UNLV now must prepare for a Mountain West Conference clash with Utah State.

The Runnin’ Rebels must quickly shift their focus on two games coming up with Utah State. The Utah State Aggies will travel to Las Vegas with a 12-4 record and a 9-1 record against conference opponents. Their one in-conference loss came in their most previous game, a home loss to Colorado State on Thursday night.

UNLV will be hopeful that Bryce Hamilton will be healthy enough to play in both these games as they will need him. He is their leading scorer averaging 20 points per game. The Runnin’ Rebels have won 4 straight games, but all of them have come against lower-ranked opponents. Two of them being NAIA teams. Although every win matters, no matter who it is played against, the battle against Utah State gives UNLV a chance to put the rest of the Mountain West Conference on notice of they can get a win or maybe even two.