UNLV outlasts High Point, moves to 4-0 to start season
With 1:42 remaining in UNLV’s 78-68 win Friday against High Point, senior Luis Rodriguez tilted his head up toward the Thomas & Mack Center rafters and let out a roar as he flexed toward the Rebels’ bench.
He hadn’t just hit a game-clinching 3. He hadn’t converted an and-one to seal Rebels’ lead.
A few seconds earlier, High Point junior guard Jaden House was bringing the ball up to start the Panthers’ offense. Rodriguez met him near half court and drove him left toward the sideline before ripping the ball away and tossing it to a teammate. High Point fouled, and UNLV effectively sealed the game at the free-throw line.
Rodriguez had helped clinch the game with a steal.
“It’s huge, from a leadership standpoint when you’ve got the older group … that just go out there and know they have to do what they’re doing defensively to win,” UNLV coach Kevin Kruger said. “They’re not worried about shot attempts. They’re not worried about touches.”
UNLV (4-0) continued its undefeated start Friday. Led by fifth-year guard EJ Harkless’ 15 points, all five Rebels starters scored in double digits for the first time this season, and UNLV continued a streak of forcing at least 20 turnovers in every game this season.
“They truly believe if they can shut teams down defensively, the offense will take care of itself,” Kruger said. “So far, after four games, it would be hard to dispute that.”
Despite entering Friday’s game as one of the highest-scoring teams in the country, High Point (3-1) struggled early against UNLV’s defense. The Rebels’ perimeter players stuck with their assignments, and senior center David Muoka provided a physical presence at the rim. He had nine rebounds and two blocks.
“The hard work we’re putting in every day at practice and even leading up to games is paying off,” he said. “It’s a good feeling.”
The Panthers didn’t stay silent for long. High Point settled into its defense and let its offense find some rhythm. Sophomores Zack Austin and Abdoulaye Thiam started to get hot from 3, and a stagnant UNLV offense allowed High Point to take a 26-22 lead with five minutes remaining before halftime.
Austin and Thiam combined for 25 points and went 7-for-12 from 3 in the first half.
UNLV’s offense struggled to break down High Point in the half court in the first half, and wasn’t helped by dismal 3-point shooting. The Rebels missed their first eight 3s before sophomore Keshon Gilbert hit one from the left wing.
The Rebels trailed 36-33 at halftime.
For the second consecutive game, though, UNLV came out of the break looking like a different team on offense. Kruger turned to sophomore Jackie Johnson III in search of a spark, and he delivered with two quick 3s. The former Duquesne guard finished the night with 10 points off the bench.
“He deserves it,” Rodriguez said. “He’s one of the first guys in the gym every day, so just for him to see his work show and make shots like we know he can, that was big for him and his confidence.”
UNLV also locked back in on defense. Thiam was kept off the scoreboard for the first 13 minutes of the second half after scoring 14 points in the first 20 minutes. UNLV forced High Point into 20 turnovers and also got out in transition, adding 19 points on the fast break, led by Rodriguez, who finished with 12 points.
Muoka also scored 12, while fifth-year wing Elijah Parquet and Gilbert added 11 points each. Rodriguez also had 10 rebounds and five steals, and Harkless and Gilbert combined for 15 assists.
Contact reporter Andy Yamashita at ayamashita@reviewjournal.com. Follow @ANYamashita on Twitter.
