Both teams entered Saturday night with a 3-3 conference record. However, it was the Rebels who fell under .500 in conference play after a back and forth affair.
It was a lethargic start in Reno on Saturday night. A rivalry game, both the Rebels and Wolfpack looked focused but also out of sorts. Shots were not falling on either end, and the slow first half ended in a 25-24 score at halftime.
But, the second half was far different.
The intensity amped up and both teams played looser, executing offense more efficiently. Especially for UNLV, the first portion of the second half was characterized by immediate energy and pushing the ball up court as quickly as possible.