The Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels took a lead late in the first half that helped them to a 99-85 victory over Saint Joseph’s on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV had two players record double-doubles and shot 44.9% from the field.
Both teams entered the game with a 2-2 overall record. UNLV is now 3-2 with a two-game win streak.
Saint Joseph’s started the game with a layup by Derek Simpson. UNLV was able to tie the game twice, but fell behind early. The men struggled in the paint, and the Hawks gained a six-point lead. Free throws got the Runnin’ Rebels back in touch with Saint Joseph’s. Naas Cunningham made three buckets at the charity stripe, and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn sank a three to tie the game 10-10. The Hawks profited from UNLV fouls to get ahead again. Jacob Bannarbie brought Las Vegas to life, tying the game at 17-17, and took the men to their first lead of the night when he made a free throw. Kimani Hamilton sealed the deal with a dunk off a turnover. UNLV held a lead for a little over five minutes until the Hawks tied the game 32-32. Las Vegas got back in the lead with a three pointer and a steal that led to Gibbs-Lawhorn making a dunk. UNLV ended the half ahead 45-40.
UNLV started the second half with Hamilton getting taken out of the game after his fifth foul. Tyrin Jones entered the game for Hamilton. Jones tallied four points, and Isaac Williamson added two from the charity stripe. The Hawks jumped back in the lead for the first time since the first half, 60-59. The Runnin’ Rebels took back the lead right away with a layup by Gibbs-Lawhorn. The men tallied their largest lead of the game at 10 points, 76-66, with just under 10 minutes remaining. Saint Joseph’s went on a six-point run and sank a three to get within one point of Las Vegas. An 8-0 run by UNLV brought them back to an 86-77 lead. The Runnin’ Rebels increased their largest lead of the game to 14 points with two minutes remaining. UNLV beat Saint Joseph’s 99-85.
Gibbs-Lawhorn led the team with 20 points. Jones recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Bannarbie also had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
