Bennett dominates as Rebels roll over Northern Iowa, 73-59

No matter how spectacular Anthony Bennett is, and he was that again Wednesday night, the UNLV freshman forward prefers to credit and hype the players surrounding him.

"Once my teammates get going, I get going," he said. "I just let the game come to me."

The game came to him early, and that's how quickly it was over. Bennett scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half and finished with 12 rebounds to lead No. 21 UNLV to a 73-59 victory over Northern Iowa before a crowd of 14,484 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Bennett was the best player on the floor, as he has been and will be most times this season, but he was most impressed by sophomore center Khem Birch.

The 6-foot-9-inch Birch, a transfer from Pittsburgh who became eligible Monday, contributed 11 points, nine rebounds and a strong defensive presence in 25 minutes off the bench in his second game for the Rebels (10-1).

"That's my boy, coming from Canada. I'm just happy for him," Bennett said. "He gives us everything we need."

UNLV's front line of Bennett, Birch and senior Quintrell Thomas combined for 39 points and 23 rebounds to set the tone in a show of physical dominance against the Panthers (6-5).

"Khem was terrific tonight," coach Dave Rice said. "He was a force on both ends of the floor."

After more than two weeks away from their home floor, and missing injured junior forward Mike Moser, the Rebels returned with little rest and preparation to run over an opponent that wanted to slow the flow of the game.

Rice called Northern Iowa a "difficult team to play," but UNLV did everything it wanted in the first half and did it with ease. Katin Reinhardt and Anthony Marshall each made a 3-pointer in the first two minutes of a game the Rebels led wire to wire.

Bennett had all of the Rebels' points in a 7-3 run - scoring on two layups and a 3-pointer - to extend UNLV's advantage to 36-20 with just under four minutes remaining in the half. A fast-break dunk by Bennett and two free throws from Reinhardt made it 43-22 at halftime, when the Rebels were shooting 48.5 percent (16 of 33) from the field.

Two nights after Texas-El Paso coach Tim Floyd used a defense that double-teamed Bennett and held him to 10 points and UNLV to a season-low 62, the Panthers were unable to copy the game plan.

"There is the thought that we can't win games that are half-court games," Rice said. "I respectfully disagree. We can win half-court basketball games. We saw how good this team can be for the first 25 minutes of the game."

The Rebels built their lead to 24 points early in the second half. Northern Iowa briefly rallied to get within 13 on Seth Tuttle's two free throws with 6:10 remaining, but Birch and Bennett each made two free throws to put away the Panthers.

"It's kind of hard to keep playing with the same intensity when you're up 20," Marshall said.

Marc Sonnen sank three 3-pointers and totaled 15 points to lead Northern Iowa, which was limited to 33 percent shooting.

Bennett and Birch were the only UNLV players to score in double figures, but Marshall (nine points), Thomas (eight), Reinhardt (seven) and senior guard Justin Hawkins (six) provided plenty of help.

"It's a luxury to have so many great players on this team. We're all pretty unselfish and we play together," said Marshall, who hit 3 of 6 3-pointers. "We came off a long road trip. As a team, our focus was great."

The Rebels, who went 3-0 on the road with hard-earned victories over Portland, California and UTEP, host Canisius on Saturday before a break for Christmas followed by a road test at No. 23 North Carolina on Dec. 29.

Moser (dislocated right elbow) is not expected to return until early or mid-January, but until then, Bennett is capable of carrying a team that is better with the addition of Birch.

"I just think we're ready to make the next step," Rice said. "We're excited about the potential of our team."

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