Carl Berman 
14 Dec 2023 
Henderson, NV – The Jack Jones Basic wrapped up with the eighth-ranked Creighton Blue Jays taking over the UNLV Rebels. Regardless of getting into the sport as 13-point underdogs, UNLV, upset Creighton 79-64, bettering to .500 with a 4-4 document. Creighton fell to 8-2.
The Blue Jays opened the sport with an 8-2 run the place it appeared like the sport was going to get away from the Rebels rapidly. They’d reply with a 7-0 run of their very own and can be tied 13 all on the first media timeout. UNLV would use their momentum to construct an eight-point lead at half, main 36-28.
An enormous cause why UNLV performed so properly was due to 6’9”, 215 lbs. fifth 12 months senior Kalib Boone. On paper, it could appear Creighton would have the benefit with beginning middle Ryan Kalkbrenner, who’s 7’1” and 270 lbs. Nonetheless, Boone would make the most of Kalkbrenner’s sluggish ft, was in a position to transfer round him with ease for layups, up-and-under pictures and a few spin strikes, or to create for teammates. The 2 gamers would every have eight factors on the half, with Boone scoring all his factors from the ground, whereas Kalkbrenner had a combination from the ground and the free-throw line.
The star of the primary half for the Runnin’ Rebels was freshman guard and Las Vegas native Dedan Thomas Jr.. Whereas he doesn’t lead the group in scoring, he did within the first half, capturing 6-of-9 from the ground, which included some well timed three-pointers to assist hold Creighton at bay. Between Thomas Jr.’s sizzling capturing and Boone’s contributions, UNLV shot precisely 28% higher from the sphere (55.6% to 27.6%).
Within the second half, Boone would choose up the place he left off within the first half, scoring the Rebels’ first six factors. Kalkbrenner and Mason Miller would reply by scoring Creighton’s first 11 factors, however it could be UNLV who would maintain a 47-39 lead with 11:57 to go within the recreation. From that time on, it was all UNLV.
Boone continued to cleared the path for the Rebels, scoring 17 within the second half to complete with a recreation excessive 25 factors on 12-of-17 capturing (1-1 FT). Boone would additionally add in seven rebounds, an help and 4 steals to spherical out his stat line. Creighton would start to double group him with slightly below 10 minutes to go within the recreation, but it surely didn’t appear to matter, as UNLV moved the ball round to keep up and construct their lead.
Kalib’s twin brother Keylan would rating all of his and UNLV’s bench factors within the second half, ending with 10 on 4-of-11 capturing and a few well timed rebounds.
For Creighton, Kalkbrenner would do all he may to maintain his group in it, ending with a group excessive 22 factors, eight rebounds and 5 blocks. Kalkbrenner primarily did his harm within the paint and was practically unguardable as a lob risk, ending a number of thunderous dunks. Baylor Scheierman chipped in with 16 of his personal, however solely on 5-of-14 capturing and ending with practically as many made free throws (4) than made discipline targets.
Coming into the matchup UNLV shot 69.6% from the charity stripe, 33.8% from distance and 47.3% from the ground. Tonight, they shot 100% from the free-throw line (5-of-5), 45.5% from past the arc (10-of-22) and 52.5% from the ground.
The Rebels will hope to construct off the win within the Jerry Colangelo Basic vs. the Saint Mary’s Gaels in Phoenix, Arizona on December 16th. The Blue Jays are headed house to tackle the Alabama Crimson Tide for the group’s Powder Blue Out, additionally on December 16th.
This text was written by Mason McFee, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You may comply with us on Fb, or on twitter.
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