Report card for UNLV’s game against San Jose State

Rashad Vaughn recorded the first double-double of his career in Saturday night’s 74-40 victory over San Jose State. The freshman did it very efficiently, too. He had 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting and went 3-for-7 from 3-point range. He also added 10 rebounds. Vaughn did, however, turn the ball over three times, a number that was matched by backcourt mate Jelan Kendrick. Cody Doolin made up for the sloppiness with five assists and no turnovers. He also made a great play on a steal at midcourt that he finished with a layup. The Rebels could use more of that from Doolin, who has been a defensive liability. Kendrick scored nine points and had two steals in a game where the starters got much more rest than usual.

FRONTCOURT: B

Chris Wood took one shot on Saturday night. One. He made it with a bank shot on a baseline drive in the first half. He did go 4-for-4 from the line to finish with six points. Wood was active on the glass, however, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds. He also blocked three shots. Goodluck Okonoboh had four points and four blocks. He also grabbed two rebounds, Neither put up huge numbers, but they did what they had to do in playing a combined 51 minutes in the blowout. Wood and Okonoboh’s intimidating presence may have had something to do with San Jose State’s 23.3 percent shooting, but the Rebels still allowed far too many offensive rebounds (16) and second-chance points (15).

BENCH: A

UNLV went deeper in the rotation with a comfortable lead and it paid dividends. Dwayne Morgan went 4 of 5 from the field to finish with 10 points. The Rebels have been looking for a reliable second-option off the bench behind Patrick McCaw and the continued development of Morgan as an offensive weapon would signal major progress for the team. He made both of his 3-point attempts as the team went 9 of 21 overall from beyond the arc. McCaw had seven points and two steals, including a steal and breakaway layup in the first half that got the crowd even remotely into the game for the first time. Jordan Cornish hit a pair of 3-pointers and all three of his free-throw attempts to finish with nine points. Everyone got involved as all 11 Rebels who saw the floor scored on Saturday night. Dantley Walker hit a 3-pointer, Charles Rushman finished a drive with a layup and made a pair of free throws and Barry Cheaney completed a 3-point play. The Rebels typically use just eight players.

COACHING: B

Dave Rice knew his team should be able to pull away and he got his bench involved early and often, even getting Dantley Walker into the game midway through the first half. Rice was also aware of San Jose State’s major depth issues and decided to go to a full-court press early to wear the Spartans down. It didn’t work tremendously well, but it was at least a good thought. UNLV needed to gain confidence and it was able to do so on Saturday. Had Rice allowed the Rebels to come out slow at all and not crush the Spartans, things could have gotten ugly very quickly. Rice and his staff didn’t allow that to happen.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.