UPDATE: Runnin’ Rebels defeat rivals Nevada, Reno

November 19, 2009 by Noam Amir-Brownstein · Comments Off

The UNLV Rebels had a slow start for the second game in a row but managed to put together some large runs in the second half to pull ahead for a victory over in-state rival Nevada, Reno 88-75.

The Rebels moved to 2-0 on the season and the Wolf Pack fell to 1-1.

UNR began the game with on a hot streak, shooting 5-9 three-point shots in the first half while the Rebels shot 1-7.

The Wolf Pack was up 38-33 at the break, but the Rebels woke up in the second half.

The Rebels’ surge didn’t come until seven minutes into the second half, after they had gone down 54-44, where they built a run off of shots by Oscar Bellfield, Justin Hawkins and Anthony Marshall. The Rebels went on a 9-0 run to make it a game again.

The Wolf Pack managed to keep their lead a little longer, but the Rebels went on another big run, going on a 10-0 stretch, giving them a seven point lead, 65-58.

From there, UNLV never looked back, extending their lead by as many as 16 in the final two minutes before the buzzer rang, ending the game.

“I’m really proud of our guys,” head coach Lon Kruger said. “I thought the depth really played a factor. We played a lot of people and the second group in the second half was the reason we got back in the ball game.”

The Rebels had 11 players score and were led by Bellfield, who had 22 points and four assists, both team-highs. The only other Rebel in double figures was Hawkins, who pitched in 16.

UNR had four players score in double-figures and preseason WAC player of the year Luke Babbitt had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Regarding their second half runs, Bellfield credited the crowd.

“When the fans got involved, that just helped us more. And then getting the mismatches on the pick and roll, that’s just [a] green light right there and we had to take advantage of that.”

The crowd numbered 13,113 and the student section was packed.

The next game for the Rebels is against Southern Illinois on Saturday at 7 p.m., as both teams look to stay undefeated.