Rebels rock and roll over New Mexico Highlands, 107-45 — PHOTOS

Soaring in from the wing, Derrick Jones Jr. threw down a left-handed slam that triggered a roar from the crowd. It was the top play on a highlight-reel night for UNLV.

"Derrick makes some pretty spectacular plays," coach Dave Rice said. "It probably won't be the last time he makes a highlight play."

Jones was not alone. Stephen Zimmerman Jr. dunked six times and recorded his first double-double. Jalen Poyser made all four of his 3-pointers.

Two teams were running, as promised, but only one was doing much scoring on a tension-free Monday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Poyser scored 16 points, Zimmerman totaled 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Jones scored 14 as three freshmen led the way in the Rebels' 107-45 rout of Division II New Mexico Highlands.

UNLV (2-0) closed the first half on a 47-4 run, and senior Ike Nwamu opened the second half by hitting a 3-pointer.

A sluggish start by the Rebels threatened to lull the crowd of 9,961 to sleep. After a 3 by Patrick McCaw with 13:41 on the clock, UNLV went more than three minutes without scoring and led only 13-10.

The Rebels' next three field goals told the story of the game — Zimmerman dunk, Zimmerman 3-pointer, Zimmerman dunk. The 7-footer was too big and talented for the Cowboys, who compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and were way out of their league.

New Mexico Highlands trailed 60-14 at halftime, when it had 17 turnovers and no assists. Midway through the half, UNLV's defensive pressure kicked in and the game turned into a knee-slapping joke.

"We want to be a reckless, all-out type of team, get after it on defense and let that transition into our offense," junior forward Ben Carter said. "We have extremely talented players on the offensive end."

It was the fourth time the Rebels topped 100 points in 138 games under Rice.

"The number I'm proudest of is 24, and that was the number of assists we got," Rice said.

UNLV committed 14 turnovers and shot 14-for-23 (60.9 percent) on free throws, so not every number was impressive. But the Rebels shot 13-for-27 from 3-point range and 54 percent from the field against minimal resistance.

Sophomore guard Patrick McCaw, who started after coming off the bench in a season-opening 74-72 victory over Cal Poly, made three 3s and finished with 11 points.

Carter, a Bishop Gorman High graduate and Oregon transfer, made his first start in a UNLV uniform because sophomore center Goodluck Okonoboh requested Rice use him as a reserve.

"It was entirely his idea," Rice said of Okonoboh, who had eight points and seven rebounds. "He felt like he would have a better feel for the game if he came off the bench. We have eight or nine guys who can start on this team."

Carter recorded nine points, nine rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes. Nwamu and senior point guard Jerome Seagears also started and scored 12 points apiece.

"I told our team that no team is going to play UNLV and come in here and lay down," Carter said. "The guys responded and came ready to play."

It was 90-28 with eight minutes remaining, and Zimmerman still was on the floor with the other four starters. The student section chanted, "Show no mercy," and Rice was playing along. It was 97-37 with 5:30 to go when Rice finally pulled his starters.

Austin Starr, a walk-on guard from Foothill High, checked in with 4:23 left. Starr missed all three of his 3-point attempts. Jordan Cornish's free throw put UNLV up 100-40 with 3:32 remaining.

Rice cleared his bench, using 11 players, but junior forward Tyrell Green was held out for a reason.

"We're considering redshirting him, so we'll have to make that decision shortly," Rice said. "Tyrell's a good player. It's just a consideration of trying to figure out what's best for him."

Jonathan Mines scored 12 points for the Cowboys, who shot 15-for-54 (27.8 percent) from the field and finished with 27 turnovers.

The dunk contest between Jones and Zimmerman kept the crowd entertained. Jones was the unofficial winner.

"It's impressive what that guy can do," Carter said.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247