UNLV Men’s Basketball Secures Dominant Win Over Pepperdine in 80-59 Victory

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) men’s basketball team exhibited a commanding performance on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, defeating Pepperdine 80-59 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The win saw the Scarlet and Gray improve their season record to 3-1, while Pepperdine fell to 1-3.

UNLV, missing several key players due to injuries, including starting wing Jaden Henley, maintained aggressive defense throughout, forcing 16 turnovers against an overmatched opponent. The team led by as many as 38 points during the second half before securing the victory.

Julian Rishwain, stepping up in Henley’s absence, made his first start and contributed significantly with 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting over 26 minutes. Brooklyn Hicks, coming off the bench, delivered a career-high 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Fueling the offensive drive, D.J. Thomas recorded 13 points and facilitated the game with six assists, impressively committing no turnovers. The game saw the freshman Pape N’Diaye hitting a notable 3-pointer, extending UNLV’s lead significantly.

UNLV’s defense was pivotal in the first half, as they managed to limit Pepperdine to merely 28.0% shooting accuracy and capitalized on 11 turnovers, creating a formidable 19-5 advantage in points off turnovers. By halftime, UNLV had built a commanding 46-17 lead.

The absence of Henley, who is expected to be out for three to four weeks due to a foot injury, along with Rob Whaley, also due to injury, posed initial challenges for the team’s roster. Nevertheless, Kevin Kruger‘s squad leveraged their depth, with significant contributions from players like Hicks and Rishwain filling the void.

Stefan Todorovic, ranked #7 nationally in scoring for Pepperdine, managed 19 points but could not lift his team against a robust UNLV defense.

Looking ahead, UNLV is set to continue their season as they host New Mexico State next Saturday at the same venue, aiming to build on their successful form.