Las Vegas, NV—The UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team hits the road this week for a Wednesday, November 16 meeting with the UNLV Runnin' Rebels. Tip at the Thomas and Mack Center is slated for 7 pm PT.
The Highlanders dropped their season opener at Portland, 71-55, on November 11 (
box score/
recap). Malik Thames recorded career highs in scoring (18 points) and rebounds (6) in the loss. He was joined in double figure scoring by Secean Johnson (12) and Chance Murray (11).
Johnson is UC Riverside's top returning scorer and rebounder from a year ago after averaging 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds, He led the squad in free throws made (124) and attempted (165) last season, and finished second in steals. Murray is a transfer from Arizona State who had to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
The Highlanders then hosted Bristol University in an exhibition game Sunday, winning 81-45. UC Riverside gave playing time to 11 players, 10 of whom played between 10 and 24 minutes. Johnson led the team with 12 points, while Thames added 11, and Murray scored 10. Gentrey Thomas added a dozen rebounds, and freshman Dikymbe Martin picked up five steals.
UNLV opened its 2016-17 season with a 76-68 loss to South Alabama. St. John's transfer Christian Jones led the Rebels, posting a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double. Jones made 10 of 14 shots from the field, while the rest of the squad made 11 of 43 shots.
UNLV made 24 of 34 shots from the free throw line, but just 2 of 15 from three-point range. Sophomore Jaylen Poyser added 17 points for the Rebels, 11 of which came from the charity stripe.
Marvin Menzies is in his first season as head coach of the Rebels, following nine years at the helm of the New Mexico State Men's Basketball Team. He was an assistant at UNLV under Lon Kruger in the 2004-05 season.
The Highlanders are 1-13 all-time against the Rebels (
view results), and UNLV has won 12 straight in the series, including a 73-62 decision last year at the SRC Arena on December 12 (
box score/
recap).
