In a display of defensive prowess and offensive efficiency, the UNLV Rebels overwhelmed the Pepperdine Waves with an impressive 80-59 win at the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday night. The victory improves UNLV’s record to 3-1 this season.
Playing without crucial starter Jaden Henley, sidelined with a foot injury expected to keep him out for 3-4 weeks, the Rebels showed their depth and resilience. Julian Rishwain stepped into the starting lineup and delivered an impactful performance, scoring 12 points in 26 minutes of play.
The Rebels’ defensive intensity set the tone early. “We wanted our defense to be more aggressive,” Head Coach Kevin Kruger said, and his team delivered. UNLV forced 16 turnovers and held Pepperdine to just 28% shooting in the first half, building a commanding 46-17 lead at the break.
Brooklyn Hicks emerged as a bright spot off the bench, posting a career-high 16 points on efficient 7-of-11 shooting. Point guard D.J. Thomas orchestrated the offense masterfully, contributing 13 points and six assists without a single turnover.
The injury-depleted Rebels entered the game facing significant challenges. Along with Henley’s absence, Rob Whaley (back injury) and Jace Whiting (foot) were unavailable, forcing Coach Kruger to adjust his rotation. “We’re pretty beat up,” Kruger acknowledged before the game. “We’ve just got to figure it out.”
Thomas, who has averaged 32.3 minutes per game this season, showed he was ready to shoulder an increased workload. “It’s always next man up, so we’re going to have guys step up,” Thomas said. “And I have to step my game up as well.”
The Rebels dominated in all phases, leading by as many as 38 points in the second half. Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry contributed 12 points and five rebounds, while Jailen Bedford provided early energy with a three-pointer and an impressive alley-oop finish.
The victory was significant, given the pre-game predictions. Analytics platform Dimers had given UNLV a 91% chance of winning, and the Rebels lived up to those expectations with their most complete performance of the season.
Looking ahead, UNLV will host New Mexico State at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday. If this game is any indication, the Rebels are developing the depth and defensive identity that could make them a formidable opponent throughout the season, even as they wait for critical players to return from injury.
For Pepperdine, now 1-3 on the season, Boubacar Coulibaly and Stefan Todorovic showed promise in their previous game against UC Irvine, but they couldn’t replicate that success against UNLV’s suffocating defense.
Tickets for upcoming UNLV home games are available through Ticketmaster, with prices starting at $8.00. Fans can catch the action on the Mountain West Network or follow live updates through CBS Sports.