In a thrilling double overtime game, the UNLV Runnin' Rebels defeated the Arizona Wildcats 74-72 in Tuscon. The Rebels, now 6-0, played their first game away from the comfort of home court advantage and managed to pull through in order to prove their worth after being ranked in the top 25 by both ESPN (21) and AP (24) polls.
The game was close the entire game as both teams led by as many as 5 at one point in the first half and the game remained close throughout the entire game. With 1:15 left in regulation Kendall Wallace made a jumper off a Derrick Jasper assist to take a 54-52 lead. A pair of Nic Wise free throws tied up the game and then both Osar Bellfield and Wise missed three's for the win, sending the game into overtime.
The first overtime was exciting as the teams traded leads but a Tre'von Willis layup with 52 seconds left gave the Rebels a 63-61 lead, but a Jamelle Horne jumper on the other end tied it up. The Rebels got the ball with 22 seconds left and Willis missed a layup forcing the game into a second overtime.
Neither team was able to take contorl by more than a few points until UNLV took a four point lead with 28 seconds left off a pair of Willis free throws. After that only free throws scored points in the game as the Rebels held off the Wildcats to secure the victory.
The Rebels were led in scoring by Willis, who had 25, and Derrick Jasper pitched in 12 points along with a team high 7 rebounds and 5 assists. He also had three steals.
The Wildcats Derrick Williams went off for 28 points on 10-15 shooting, and Wise added 19.
Both teams had 39 rebounds and were just about even in both assists and turnovers in this close matchup.
The Rebels next game is against the Santa Clara Broncos. The Broncos are 4-3, but are in the midst of a two game winning streak. UNLV will hope to continue their six game winning streak on December 5th and improve to 2-0 on the road.