Rebels run past TCU, 94-79

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Seeing shots hit net more often than not came as no surprise to Chace Stanback. The junior forward figured UNLV was overdue.

"It was only a matter of time," he said.

The Rebels waited a long time for the type of shooting exhibition they put on in a 94-79 victory over Texas Christian on Wednesday in front of about 400 fans at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Stanback scored 24 points and Tre'Von Willis had a season-high 23 as UNLV shot 35-for-57 (61.4 percent) from the field, including 11-for-17 on 3-pointers, en route to a season high in scoring.

"It's just a different game when you make shots like that," coach Lon Kruger said.

Stanback hit all four of his shots from behind the arc to trigger the Rebels, who entered the game as the worst 3-point shooting team in the Mountain West Conference.

"I knew it was going to start somewhere," said Oscar Bellfield, who made three 3s and had 13 points and six assists. "Hopefully on Saturday we do the same thing."

The points probably won't flow so freely in two days when UNLV (18-6, 6-4) hosts No. 6 San Diego State at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Aztecs beat the Rebels 55-49 on Jan. 12.

The Horned Frogs (10-15, 1-9) defended with the tenacity of a pack of poodles, showing why they are tied with Wyoming at the bottom of the league standings.

Still, UNLV's shooters cashed in when left open, a drastic change from most recent games. Working the ball inside to forward Quintrell Thomas and running to the rim in transition, the Rebels resembled the offensive juggernaut they were in November and early December.

Thomas finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, his second double-double in the past three games. "I would like to make it routine," he said.

"I'd say since that Illinois State game (on Dec. 1), it seems like we haven't been able to shoot the ball as well as we needed to, so this is definitely a boost to a couple guys' confidence," said Thomas, who hit 8 of 8 free throws.

TCU point guard Hank Thorns, a Valley High School product, had 21 points and nine assists, and he sparked a late rally from 20 down. His 3-pointer brought the Horned Frogs within 77-71.

But Stanback sank a 3-pointer with 5:23 remaining, Thomas made a layup and Stanback hit another 3 to all but put it away.

"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to knock down shots. But we shot really well tonight, and (64.7) percent from 3 is unbelievable," Stanback said. "As long as we keep shooting like that, we'll be fine."

Willis came off the bench to score 12 points and lift UNLV to a 47-35 halftime lead. The senior guard did not start because he was late to a meeting Wednesday, but he was an early substitution and made an instant impact.

After the Rebels fell behind 9-0, Kruger used a timeout and sent in Willis and Justin Hawkins for Bellfield and Anthony Marshall.

"The first few minutes of the game, I felt like we were kind of sluggish," Stanback said. "We looked dead out there."

UNLV rallied and Willis' 3-pointer tied the score at 17 with 11:05 remaining. Marshall's 3 made it 40-28 with a little more than four minutes left.

The Rebels shook off their shooting woes to hit 20 of 30 and match their best percentage (.667) for a half this season.

"That's a great number," Kruger said of UNLV's 22 assists. "We shot the ball extremely well, moved the ball really well and attacked offensively. We've got to use this as a springboard."

The Rebels whipped the Horned Frogs 83-49 on Jan. 8, but the good feelings from that blowout didn't last. With San Diego State up next, maybe UNLV found its shooting touch just in time.

"It's perfect timing," Stanback said.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.