UNLV coach Dave Rice admitted he was concerned about a possible letdown Saturday night against Southern Utah. Not only had the Rebels split a pair of consecutive games against ranked teams, a loss to Utah followed by the win over Arizona, but there are two big games on the horizon.
The frontcourt — Chris Wood, specifically — set the bar high for the Rebels on Saturday night. The Rebels dominated Southern Utah, 79-45, earning above-average grades across the board. UNLV avoided a letdown after Tuesday’s big win over Arizona.
One way to wake up a bored crowd is with a windmill dunk, and Chris Wood threw down a thunderous one. A lightning-strike streak of 3-pointers also can do the trick, and Rashad Vaughn made three during a two-minute stretch in the second half. And the Rebels rolled over Southern Utah, 79-45.
Chris Wood and Rashad Vaughn each scored 22 points as UNLV rolled to a 79-45 victory over Southern Utah at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Rebels host Southern Utah tonight at the Thomas & Mack. Tip is at 7:00 p.m.
The Rebels host Southern Utah at Thomas & Mack Center at 7 p.m. It will be the third straight game in Las Vegas for the Thunderbirds (3-7). Southern Utah dropped an overtime game to Arkansas-Pine Bluff before beating South Carolina State in the Las Vegas Classic on Monday and Tuesday.
One game can dramatically change the perception of a team, and it can do the same for a player. It has been a week of change for UNLV and forward Chris Wood.
Immediately after beating Arizona, Rebels coach Dave Rice looked ahead to Saturday’s game and called it “the biggest of the season.” In college basketball, there is no such thing as a night off any more.
UNLV beat No. 3 Arizona at the Thomas & Mack Center by playing with a level of emotion and desire not seen yet this season. For once, Rice can say it following a win and the notion more than holds up. UNLV beat a terrific team.
As fans stormed the court in a wild celebration, Chris Wood stood out above the crowd. The 6-foot-11-inch forward owned the night, from beginning to improbable end.
