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No. 18 UNLV Edges Pilots Despite Big Game from Nicholas
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Junior forward Ryan Nicholas had 15 points and a career-high 19 rebounds and the University of Portland Pilots led No. 18 UNLV by six at the break, but the Runnin’ Rebels rallied late for a 68-60 win in front of 3,057 fans at a raucous Chiles Center on Tuesday night. The game marked the first time that the Pilots hosted a ranked non-conference opponent at the Chiles Center.
After leading 28-22 at the half, the Pilots (3-5) opened a nine-point lead after Riley Baker hit a short jumper in the paint and Oskars Reinfelds made a slicing lay-up through the paint. The Portland lead was still nine moments later when Korey Thieleke converted a traditional three-point play that gave the Pilots a 39-31 advantage with 16:07 remaining.
The Rebels then responded with a 13-2 run capped by a Quintrell Thomas dunk. Pilot point guard David Carr responded with a steal and three-pointer and sophomore center Thomas van der Mars followed with a fast break dunk to make it 47-44 Portland.
UNLV (6-1) guard Justin Hawkins then went on a personal 9-0 run, including two long-range three-pointers, as the visitors gained a 56-47 lead. Portland cut the deficit to three twice in the closing minutes, but did not score in the final 3:57 as UNLV pulled away.
The Pilots outrebounded UNLV by a 43-39 margin, had a 36-28 edge in points in the paint, and held the Runnin’ Rebels to 36 percent shooting in the game while converting 42 percent on the offensive end. But the UNLV benefitted from a significant foul and free throw disparity by converting 18-of-29 attempts compared to 5-of-9 for Portland. The Runnin’ Rebels committed just 13 fouls in the game, while the host Pilots were whistled for 23 fouls.
Portland committed 21 turnovers which led to a 21-13 advantage for UNLV in points off of turnovers.
Nicholas also recorded a career-high six assists in 37 minutes of action. Junior guard Korey Thieleke continued his solid play with a career-high 12 points, while van der Mars finished with 11 points and a career-best nine rebounds.
Freshman forward Anthony Bennett paced UNLV with 18 points, while Anthony Marshall added 16 and Hawkins chipped in 15 off the bench. Junior Mike Moser, a Portland native, missed the game due to injury.
Portland will return to the hardwood in Lexington, Ky. this Saturday to take on No. 19 Kentucky at Rupp Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 a.m. (PST) and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
