Blog: Anthony Marshall scores 22 in UNLV’s 85-68 victory against Cal

By Taylor Bern

Published Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 | 1:23 p.m.

Updated Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 | 4:04 p.m.

UNLV (13-2) gave up some open looks once the outcome was clearly in hand, but this was still one of the Rebels most complete efforts of the season.

The final tally was No. 21 UNLV 85, California 68. And it wasn't that close for much of the game.

Anthony Marshall finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals in 33 minutes. Other stars included Oscar Bellfield (11 points, 11 rebounds), Mike Moser (14 points, eight rebounds) and Chace Stanback (15 points). Quintrell Thomas also looked healthy after missing one game with a turf toe injury. He finished with eight points and six rebounds in 15 minutes.

Cal tried to play a quick style from the opening minutes, and it clearly couldn't stay at that pace with UNLV running up and down the court. The Bears don't normally play that quickly, so it was bizarre that they would try to do it against the Rebels.

Great overall performance from UNLV in its last tough non-conference game, and it gives the Rebels and their fans a great feeling heading into the holidays.

Marshall leads UNLV with 20 points as Rebels lead 74-49

Coach Dave Rice will find things to criticize in the locker room — he's still getting after it on the bench — but from my seat this is pretty much a perfect performance from the Rebels.

UNLV leads 74-49 with 6:49 remaining. Anthony Marshall is putting together maybe his best overall performance of the year with 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.

But every Rebel has had a hand in this one. Oscar Bellfield has 11 points and 10 assists. Mike Moser has 14 points and eight rebounds. Chace Stanback has scored 15 points.

Really the only negative so far is that Reggie Smith hasn't been on the court. We'll find out after the game the reason for that, but after all of the talk about him the last two weeks it's strange/worrisome that he hasn't gotten off the bench.

Marshall has 17 points as UNLV opens up a 60-38 lead

The second half is underway and nothing is different for UNLV, as it leads 60-38 with 15:36 remaining.

Anthony Marshall put down a vicious slam on an alley-oop after coming out of nowhere. He leads all scorers with 17 points, and also has six rebounds and three assists. Bellfield triggered that play, giving him 10 assists and no turnovers. Everybody for UNLV is putting up incredible numbers as the Rebels continue to pick their spots and dictate the way this game is played.

UNLV dominating Cal, up 46-26 at halftime

That was something to see.

UNLV goes into halftime up 46-26, and the Rebels got there by dominating both ends of the court. UNLV is shooting 54 percent and has 14 assists on 19 made shots, including five 3-pointers. The Rebels also have 21 rebounds and just five turnovers.

Anthony Marshall and Chace Stanback are leading the way, combining for 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Oscar Bellfield has nine assists and no turnovers. Those are stunning numbers for a game, but he's still got 20 minutes to play. Just amazing.

The Rebels bigs have played well, too. Quintrell Thomas, Carlos Lopez and Brice Massamba have combined for 10 points and 10 rebounds. Really there is nothing bad on the Rebels' halftime box score.

UNLV is doing everything it wants and keeping Cal from getting open shots. The Rebels would have to collapse in the second half for this outcome to be in doubt.

UNLV in control, up 23-16 at home against Cal

All five UNLV starters have scored as the Rebels take a 23-16 lead with 7:28 left in the first half.

The pace has slowed down a bit, but it's still working in the Rebels' favor, with California's shooting percentage dipping to 37.5 percent. After getting open looks on the perimeter to start the game, the Bears have had to attack the intermediate area and so far they're finding little success.

Anthony Marshall leads all UNLV scorers with six points, while Oscar Bellfield has four assists and no turnovers. The Rebels are still setting the pace and getting whatever they want on offense. No cause for concern at this point.

UNLV takes early lead in fast-paced game vs. Cal

Speed doesn't look like it will be an issue for UNLV today, as Cal is taking shots even quicker than the Rebels. So far it's working in UNLV's favor as it has an 11-8 lead with 15:39 left in the first half.

Chace Stanback is getting open looks, Anthony Marshall had a nice drive to the basket and MIke Moser hit a contested 3-pointer. Really, everything both of the offenses has tried thus far has worked, and th longer that continues, the more it favors the Rebels.

Cal isn't really built to play this type of game for 40 minutes, so I'm really surprised that they've come out like this so far.

California poses matchup problems for UNLV

In the early season discussions of No. 21 UNLV’s non-conference schedule, today’s home tilt against California was basically a footnote. But this matinee presents the same matchup problems for the Rebels (12-2) as did road games at Wichita State and Wisconsin.

The Bears (10-2) run a structured motion offense built around their guards, with starters Justin Cobbs, Allen Crabbe and Jorge Gutierrez averaging 42 points per game between them.

Gutierrez, who played at Findlay Prep, is the triggerman, running coach Mike Montgomery’s system from the point. But Crabbe, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, may be the most dangerous Bear on the court. His style is very similar to UNLV senior guard/forward Chace Stanback.

In fact, here’s a look at their numbers:

Crabbe: 16.1 points; 5.8 rebounds; 46.3 percent field goals; 45.8 percent 3-pointers.

Stanback: 14.5 points; 5 rebounds; 48.5 percent field goals; 45.3 3-pointers.

Both players lead their team in scoring.

The biggest difference is that Crabbe is responsible for nearly 25 percent of his team’s attempted shots this season, while Stanback is right around 16 percent. That mostly has to do with the speed at which team plays.

That’s the ever-present battle for the Rebels: dictating tempo. They failed to do that in two losses this season, getting outplayed from the opening minutes.

Against Illinois, UNLV imposed its will early and took the Illini out of rhythm. Whether today’s game turns into the track meet that they want it to or not, the Rebels have to come out early with a similar mentality to disrupt Cal.

The Bears’ screens and swing passing can lull an opponent to sleep, much like the Badgers.

To combat it, the Rebels have to stay disciplined on defense — something coach Dave Rice and the players discussed as a work in progress — and make the shots when they get opportunities.

UNLV is talented enough to get a lead, which could force Cal to alter its style to catch up. But to do that, the Rebels must hit the open looks that they get in transition. It sounds simple, but this team has missed a lot of layups in the last two weeks.

Bern’s prediction: UNLV won’t get out to a roaring start, but it will be physical with Cal defensively and knock it a bit off kilter. This will eventually lead to some turnovers and transition baskets for the Rebels. The Bears will need to shoot near 50 percent to keep pace, and considering they have lost their only true road game this season, at San Diego State, I have doubts about their abilities away from home. UNLV 72, California 63.