FSM Essential Preview: UNLV vs Pepperdine - Game 6

Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

2020 UNLV vs Pepperdine – Game 6

UNLV (1-4) vs. Pepperdine (3-3)

The Runnin’ Rebels look to build off their first win of the season last time out.

UNLV comes into the game on Monday night with a record of 1-4. They were supposed to play last Wednesday against Eastern Washington. However, that game was canceled. UNLV will host Pepperdine University. They come in with an even record of 3-3.

Last time out, the Runnin’ Rebels got their first win of the season. UNLV defeated Kansas State by a score of 68-58. It was a very good defensive game for the Runnin’ Rebels. They held the Wildcats to only shoot 36 percent from the field compared to UNLV’s 52 percent. David Jenkins Jr. led UNLV in points scored with 25 and 7 three-pointers made. Bryce Hamilton also contributed 18 points as they will look to continue the excellent shooting into the matchup with the Pepperdine Waves. Hamilton leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. It will be the Runnin’ Rebels’ first game since December 5^th.

UNLV welcomes in a high scoring Pepperdine team.

Pepperdine has a record of 3-3, with their most recent win coming against the University of California. They lost their last game played against Cal State Northridge 89-84. Colbey Ross led the way for the Waves with 29 points and 9 assists. On November 27^th, Pepperdine played in a thriller in which they came close to upsetting UCLA. They fell to the Bruins 107-98 in a triple-overtime game. Kessler Edwards leads Pepperdine with 20.7 points per game. Ross also averages 20 points per game.

In the 6 games this season, Pepperdine is averaging 82 points per game, shooting 47 percent from the field as a team. They rebound the ball very well and play a team in the Runnin’ Rebels who haven’t been great defensively so far this season besides the previous win against Kansas State. While the Waves have been successful offensively, their defense has been inconsistent. In two of their three losses, their defense was torn apart. In the last game, Pepperdine were heavy favorites against CSUN, but their defense let them down, allowing CSUN to shoot 50 percent.

For UNLV, their defense improved last game, although they did play a Kansas State team who has struggled offensively to start the season. In the 4 losses before that against better competition, UNLV did not play effective defense and were exposed.

Monday night should provide a great game between two evenly matched teams.

UNLV never trailed in their previous game as their defense stepped up. So far, early in this season, the Runnin’ Rebels have emerged into a big 3 offensively. David Jenkins Jr. had his best game of his season last time out, Bryce Hamilton, and Caleb Grill who had 27 points in a loss against Alabama earlier in the season. This is a game that has the potential to be high scoring, with both teams being more effective on offense than on the defensive side of the ball.

The Runnin’ Rebels will look to win their second straight game to get their record to 2-4 before starting Mountain West play, in which they travel to Wyoming for two games later in the week. For Pepperdine they will look to bounce back after losing their last game and get back over .500.

Tonight’s game will be televised live in Las Vegas on Cox YurView channel 14 / 1014HD and streamed worldwide for free with Matt Neverett and Steve Cofield calling the action. Jon Sandler and former Runnin’ Rebel Curtis Terry will handle the UNLV radio call, which may be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas.

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-Jarret Thompson – Franchise Sports Media

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