Rebels off to running start

Forget about UNLV’s slow starts and sluggish offensive performances — at least for tonight. The Rebels are playing their most entertaining game of the short season against Northern Arizona. Senior guard Wink Adams has 14 points as UNLV leads 54-31 at the half.

Freshman point guard Oscar Bellfield continues to stand out. Bellfield hit a 3-pointer to put the Rebels up 11-2 at the 16:20 mark. Senior guard Mareceo Rutledge, possibly inspired by being the subject of a feature story in today’s Review-Journal, has made both of his 3-point attempts.

Freshman swingman DeShawn Mitchell provided another highlight when he broke loose for a two-handed dunk to give UNLV a 30-14 lead with 11:43 left. Sophomore guard Kendall Wallace got into the act by making three 3-pointers in the last 10 minutes of the half. Wallace’s deep buzzer-beater sent the Rebels into the locker room ahead by 23. Wallace has 11 points.

UNLV averaged 69.0 points in its first two victories over San Diego and Texas-Pan American.

Hoffman makes early appearance

Junior guard Scott Hoffman is a fan favorite, but he rarely sees the floor until the final minutes of blowouts. Hoffman entered tonight’s game with 12:49 remaining in the first half. He did not attempt a shot in two minutes of action.

Was it the first time in Hoffman’s career that he got to play in the first half?

“That’s a good question,” said Andy Grossman, UNLV director of media relations. “I would have to research that.”

Shooting stars

The Rebels fired mostly blanks from 3-point range in their first two games, shooting a combined 14-for-57 (24.6 percent). In tonight’s first half, UNLV is 7-for-10 from long distance.