Seniors in sync for UNLV

The trio finally got its timing down Wednesday night as the Rebels rolled past Santa Clara 78-66 before a crowd of 10,339 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Adams scored a game-high 16 points, Rougeau had 15 and Darger 10.

"Everyone has been expecting that all season out of the three of us," Darger said. "This was a good game for us to get our confidence up, and hopefully we can keep rolling."

It was only the second time this season that Adams, Darger and Rougeau scored in double figures in the same game.

UNLV (9-2) next hosts Arizona on Saturday in what promises to be a tougher nonconference test.

Adams, who was stuck in a six-game shooting slump, made a 3-pointer with two seconds left in the first half. He slapped the floor and celebrated after the buzzer as the Rebels took a 42-28 lead.

"To get that one to go down, it felt really good," said Adams, who shot 6-for-15, including 2-for-7 on 3-pointers. "I didn’t shoot a good percentage, but I hit a couple."

Freshman point guard Oscar Bellfield, who had the assist on Adams’ 3 to close the half, grabbed Adams as they ran to the locker room.

"Oscar gave me a hug and said, ‘You finally hit a 3,’ " said Adams, who was 1-for-26 on 3s in the previous six games.

Adams had 11 points in the first half, with a seven-point outburst in the final 1:16.

"I think that really lifted a lot of pressure off Wink’s shoulders," said coach Lon Kruger, who earned his 100th win in his fifth season at UNLV.

The Rebels raced to an early lead and held it. After Adams made back-to-back perimeter jumpers, freshman center Brice Massamba’s rebound basket put UNLV up 24-12 at the 8:29 mark.

The Broncos (5-5) never cut their deficit to single digits in the second half.

Rougeau’s steal, layup and three-point play pushed the Rebels’ lead to 68-46 with 6:52 remaining. Rougeau added a highlight dunk, off an assist from Bellfield, late in the game.

The last time Adams, Darger and Rougeau scored in double figures in the same game was in an 87-71 victory over Northern Arizona on Nov. 20.

"We’re the core of the team, basically, the three seniors," said Rougeau, who shot 7-for-9 and had seven rebounds and four steals. "A lot of the scoring is going to have to come from us.

"It’s probably one of the better games we’ve played all season. It was a good overall win, beyond how the three seniors played."

Kruger used 10 players, and all scored. Junior forward Darris Santee had 11 points, and Bellfield finished with seven.

The Rebels showed a "better attack on the offensive end," Kruger said, and played with more defensive intensity than in recent games.

"The energy level was better," Kruger said. "I think anytime you make shots, it helps your energy level."

John Bryant, Santa Clara’s 6-foot-11-inch center, finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds. The combination of Santee and Massamba defended him well.

"It gives us some momentum going into the Arizona game," Rougeau said.

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