Blog: UNLV scores most points since 1990-91 in 124-75 victory

By Taylor Bern

Published Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 | 6 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 | 8:54 p.m.

Central Arkansas wanted to run, and UNLV was happy to oblige, racing out to a big lead and crushing the Bears 124-75. It's the most points the Rebels (14-2) have scored since a 126-83 victory against Utah State in the 1990-91 season.

Chace Stanback tied his career high from a couple of games ago with 29 points, including nine 3-pointers. And as a team, the Rebels posted an absurd 40 assists on 47 made baskets. It's hard to do that in a video game, let alone Division I basketball.

UNLV leaves tomorrow morning for Hawaii, where they play the Warriors on Saturday. It's the first of three consecutive road games for the Rebels.

Wednesday night was a perfect parting gift.

Rebels break century mark

The ovation for 100 points matched or surpassed every other cheer at the Mack in the last few weeks. And why not? UNLV, which leads 112-69 with 3:38 remaining, turned this game into a party early on.

The stats are gaudy and the enthusiasm infectious as the Rebels close out an easy home victory against Central Arkansas. UNLV's defense hasn't always been there, but really this is just the kind of game the Rebels needed before heading out on the road for three games.

Rebels keep rolling in 2nd half, leads 92-57 against Bears

UNLV picked up right where it left off in the second half, with Chace Stanback hitting three more 3-pointers and the Rebels extending their lead to 92-57 with 11:06 remaining.

Overall, though, the play has diminished because of a rash of errant passes and sloppy fouls. Central Arkansas has spent the bulk of the second half at the free-throw line, which won't help them win tonight but is certainly not something the Rebels want to make a habit of doing with a lead.

This isn't a game for fans of defense, but otherwise the highlights have been aplenty and every Rebel that's been on the court has made at least one solid play.

Rebels running away from Bears with 63-39 halftime lead

UNLV's performance in the first half was the most fun any Division I team has probably had all year.

The Rebels struggled a bit in the first four minutes, but everything after that was steals, lobs, dunks and 3-pointers. There were a lot smiling, running Rebels as UNLV took a 63-39 lead at halftime.

Mike Moser is leading all scorers with 14 points. He's also got five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Justin Hawkins and Chace Stanback each have nine points, and Stanback also has four steals. Anthony Marshall has eight points and six assists, and Reggie Smith has eight points in five minutes.

The Rebels have dominated every aspect of this game and are almost ensured of their first 100-point game of the season. This is exactly what coach Dave Rice wanted to see tonight.

UNLV turns game into highlight reel, leads 49-26

Forward Mike Moser came ready to play, and it's far more than the Bears can handle. In the game's first 10 minutes, Moser amassed 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, helping UNLV get out to a 39-21 lead with 7:41 left in the first half.

When Moser exited, Chace Stanback took over the playmaking duties, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers and then lofting a gorgeous alley-oop to Anthony Marshall, whose finish probably signified the end of any hope for Central Arkansas tonight.

The Rebels defense, especially in transition, has been a little lacking, but they're having too much fun on offense (and up too many points) to worry much about that right now.

UNLV down 11-10 early in home game against Central Arkansas

Central Arkansas wants to run with UNLV and in the first five minutes they were able to do just that, taking an 11-10 lead with 15:16 left in the first half.

The Rebels were down by a couple of baskets but erased the deficit with some easy shots. Really, UNLV is getting any look that it wants thus far, and as long as it hits at least 40 percent of them then Central Arkansas won't be able to keep pace.

Brice Massamba is the Rebels early scoring leader with four points. Mike Moser has two points and two rebounds.

UNLV prepares for last home game in three weeks

Junior guard Justin Hawkins will make the second start of his career tonight when No. 19 UNLV (13-2) tips off against Central Arkansas (5-6).

Senior small forward Chace Stanback will come off the bench because he was late to practice on Dec. 26, the Rebels’ first practice after a holiday break. Hawkins also filled in for Stanback in the first game of the season.

Neither players’ total minutes will likely differ from coach Dave Rice’s original plan, which may include less court time for each man tonight.

The Bears, led by former Arkansas great Corliss Williamson, want to run with the Rebels. That strategy hasn’t worked out well for opponents this year, and UNLV should have the game in hand by halftime.

That means an opportunity to work with different lineups, and the biggest piece to that is sophomore guard Reggie Smith.

Rice said he wants to work Smith into the rotation before conference play, so with just three non-conference games left, that has to start tonight.

Point guards Oscar Bellfield and Anthony Marshall have been stellar this season, especially in the past couple of games. As a result, Smith isn’t likely to get any crunch-time minutes this year. But it’s important to get him some productive minutes on the court for his own confidence moving forward and in case of an injury to another guard down the road.

Tonight’s also a good opportunity for the Rebels’ burgeoning bigs — Brice Massamba, Carlos Lopez and Quintrell Thomas — to continue their recent tear.

Up until the victory against Illinois, it seemed only one or two of these guys could have a solid performance on any given night. But since then, all three have been tremendous assets when they’re on the court.

They shouldn’t have too much trouble keeping that streak going against an undersized Central Arkansas squad. Still, it would keep confidence high as UNLV prepares for three consecutive road games.

Bern’s prediction: I’ve had UNLV hitting the century mark a couple of times already this season, so I’m hesitant to do it again. But the fact that the Bears gave up 105 to Iowa is too much to ignore. Get ready for more alley-oop highlights tonight. UNLV 103, Central Arkansas 61.