Instant Analysis: Rebels miss 15 free throws to make things interesting, still win

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014 | 7:15 p.m.

It wasn’t pretty. But, in the first week of the season, it doesn’t need to be.

The UNLV basketball team was sluggish at times today against visiting Sam Houston State, but overcame an 11-point second half deficit for a 59-57 victory. It was a wild finish, though, with Sam Houston State rallying in the final minute and missing a 3-pointer to win at the buzzer.

Here’s a look back:

How the game was won : UNLV almost let this one slip away because of its poor effort at the free throw line. Make your free throws and eliminate the drama. The Rebels led by eight points with less than four minutes to play, but allowed Sam Houston State back in the game because it couldn’t convert at the charity stripe. Cody Doolin and Rashad Vaughn, the Rebels’ best players, each had crucial misses in the final minute. That obviously can’t happen moving forward, but on the bright side gave UNLV some good end-of-the-game experience for the rest of the season. Vaughn and Patrick McCaw made 3-pointers and the Rebels forced turnovers that led to easy layups on consecutive possessions during a 14-2 scoring run to take the lead for good. UNLV trailed 47-43 with nine minutes to play, but somehow found themselves ahead by eight points. Credit their hustle on both ends of the court, with multiple players getting loose balls to spark the comeback. It was a strong five minutes or so of play to show the potential they have.

Great coaching move from Rice: Less than two minutes into the second half, Rebels coach Dave Rice quickly replaced Rashad Vaughn and Goodluck Okonoboh after what appeared to be a lack of hustle going after a defensive rebound. Way to send a message, coach. Vaughn, the prized prospect of the 2014 recruiting class who is destined to leave after the season for the NBA, needs to be held to the same standards as everyone on the team. Today, with one brief break on the bench, Rice delivered that message. It’s a move he might not have made in past seasons.

Too close for comfort : The skeptics will surely say UNLV has a pair of close wins against subpar competition. That's inaccurate. While the teams UNLV have narrowly beat — Sam Houston State and Morehead State — aren’t powers, both had senior-heavy rosters and should win their conferences. They are two good wins, especially considering it was the initial college games for most of UNLV’s key contributors. And, especially considering UNLV trailed by 11 points today in the second half. So, don’t hit the panic button. Remember, the college season is a marathon, not a 100-yard dash against Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.

Nice first impression : After not playing in the season opener, 6-foot-6 freshman guard Jordan Cordish from New Orleans was solid today in his debut. He hustled and played tremendous defense — two traits that will earn him regular minutes moving forward. He drained a 3-pointer during the second half comeback, finishing with five crucial points. Great effort and energy. Great first impression.

Look at the stat sheet : Vaughn, despite being limited to two points on 1 of 7 shooting in the first half, helped fuel the comeback with 16 second-half points. ...The Rebels didn’t do themselves any favors at the free throw line, only making 12 of 27 attempts. It nearly cost them the game. ...Freshman Pat McCaw had five points, but his 3-pointer with less than five minutes to play gave UNLV its largest lead of the game at eight. ...The Rebels, despite having a distinct size advantage, were outrebounded 53-39. ...Sam Houston State lived and died with the 3-point shoot. They made 9 of 36 attempts, building a lead by making the outside shot and helping give it away by too frequently settling for the outside shot.

Up next : The competition gets more difficult (that’s an understatement) Friday when the Rebels play Stanford at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Stanford beat South Dakota today, 83-73, behind a career-best 17 points from Bishop Gorman product Roscoe Allen. Stanford, who last year played in the Sweet 16, is part of UNLV’s hard-to-navigate nonleague schedule that will force its roster of talented freshmen to develop at a fast pace. Maybe playing on the big stage of the New York area will inspire UNLV’s players for improved play.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21