The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels (UNLV) dominated the Air Force Academy Falcons (Air Force) on the road, securing a decisive 91-66 victory at Clune Arena. The Rebels' NET-ranked 133rd nationally, asserted their superiority over the Falcons, who trail at 349th in the NET rankings. The final margin of 25 points underscores the significant disparity between the two teams.
The Rebels established a slight lead in the first half, 34-31, but it was in the second half that they truly asserted control, outscoring the Falcons 57-35 to pull away to a commanding 25-point lead. This decisive performance showcases UNLV's strength and Air Force's vulnerability, highlighting a significant gap between the two teams.
Kimani Hamilton led the Rebels with 27 points, shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. His 11-for-19 mark from the floor and 2-for-6 showing from three-point range highlight his ability to score from a variety of spots. Hamilton also contributed on the glass, grabbing four rebounds, and dished out two assists to help facilitate the UNLV offense.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn provided a strong supporting performance, scoring 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 from three-point range. His three-point shooting was particularly effective, as he converted on a high percentage of his attempts. Gibbs-Lawhorn also handled the ball well, notching two assists to complement his scoring. Meanwhile, Tyrin Jones chipped in with a solid effort, notching 12 points and six rebounds, but struggled to find his footing in terms of contributing on the assist end.
Lucas Hobin's 19 points were a bright spot for Air Force, but his shooting efficiency was a concern, converting only 42.9% of his field goal attempts. His 6-14 mark from the field and 4-9 performance from beyond the arc suggest that UNLV's defense was able to limit his effectiveness. Despite being a primary scoring option, Hobin's 2 rebounds and 0 assists were underwhelming, indicating a lack of well-rounded production.
Kam Sanders was Air Force's most well-rounded player, but even his strong all-around performance couldn't compensate for the team's overall struggles. His 18 points and 8 rebounds were solid, but his 9 assists were a positive sign, suggesting he was trying to will his team to victory. However, his shooting efficiency was not up to par, converting 50% of his field goal attempts and 66.7% of his free throws.
In a breakout performance, Howie Fleming Jr.'s well-rounded stat line was a stark departure from his season averages, showcasing a significant increase in his rebounding and playmaking prowess. His 4.3 rebounding surplus and 6.6 assist increase were particularly noteworthy, suggesting a heightened level of court vision and aggression in attacking the glass. This unexpected surge in production not only elevated his individual performance but also had a ripple effect on the team's overall dynamics, as UNLV's offense appeared more cohesive and explosive in his presence.
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Final
While the pre-game prediction of a 19.1-point margin of victory for UNLV proved accurate, it's worth noting that the final margin of 25 points was a more substantial margin than anticipated. This suggests that UNLV's dominance was more pronounced than expected, outscoring Air Force by a significant margin on the day.
The decisive factors in UNLV's convincing victory were its superior shooting efficiency and three-point shooting. The Rebels' eFG% of 67.5% was a significant departure from their season average of 53.1%, indicating a hot shooting performance that Air Force was unable to match. Additionally, UNLV's 50.0% three-point shooting percentage was particularly impressive, as it significantly outpaced Air Force's 36.4% mark. Meanwhile, UNLV's relatively low OREB rate of 8.3% suggests that the Rebels were able to control the tempo of the game without relying heavily on rebounding, further contributing to their decisive victory.
UNLV's victory in this Quad 4 matchup bolsters their NCAA Tournament resume, as they now boast a respectable 3-2 record against Quad 1 opponents and a 3-4 mark against Quad 2 foes, with a NET ranking of #133. This win, however, does not significantly alter their overall profile, and they remain a long shot to secure a seed higher than 13. Meanwhile, Air Force's 24th loss of the season further erodes their NCAA Tournament prospects, as they now own a dismal 0-6 record against Quad 1 and Quad 2 opponents, with a NET ranking of #349, all but guaranteeing a First Four berth, should they receive an at-large bid.