Live blog: Rebels take care of Canisius with best offensive performance of the season

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 | 6 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 | 9:03 p.m.

When you score nearly 100 points, the stat sheet surely has some impressive numbers.

That was the case Thursday for the UNLV basketball team in its 95-70 victory against Canisius. It was the Rebels' third straight win and clearly their best performance of the young season.

Five UNLV players scored in double figures, including Oscar Bellfield making 4-of-5 of his 3-pointers for 14 points, and distributing a season-best 10 assists.

Mike Moser had a team-high 19 points and nine rebounds, Justin Hawkins continued his hot start to the season with 14 points, and Carlos Lopez and Chace Stanback each recorded 10 points.

The Rebels had 95 points with about four minutes remaining, but couldn’t hit the century mark late in the game with several practice squad players seeing action. UNLV was looking to score 100 points for the first time since December of 2006.

All in all, the Rebels finally started to resemble the high-scoring team first-year coach Dave Rice is working toward. While Canisius was a team exhausted from traveling across country, it was definitely a step in the right direction.

Check back later for more on the game.

Rebels continue strong play, lead Canisius by 30 points with eight to play

It doesn’t look like the UNLV basketball team is going to blow this lead.

Monday, the Rebels led Nevada-Reno by 18 points before struggling late and having the advantage trimmed to two points before prevailing.

Against Canisius tonight, the Rebels are leading 84-54 with 7:54 remaining and showing no signs of letting up.

The Rebels are an impressive 30-of-48 from the field and have been deadly from the 3-point arch. Oscar Bellfield and Kendall Wallace have combined to go 7-of-9 on a 3-pointers.

The only thing in doubt is the final. I’ll talk to everyone once the game clock hits zero.

Rebels continue to pour it on against Canisius, shooting 68-percent

The UNLV basketball team has continued with its strong offensive performance early in the second half against Canisius.

The Rebels opened the second half on a 13-2 run, and even though Canisius has made a few buckets, has increased its 21-point halftime lead to 67-42 with 15:11 to play.

The most significant points came on a 3-pointer from Anthony Marshall from the top of the arch. Marshall, who went 0-for-7 in the opener, needed to connect from the outside for his confidence moving forward — especially with the schedule getting tougher next week.

UNLV is well on its way to scoring 100 points for the first time since 2006, when they beat Norfolk State 103-56. Mike Moser has been active early in the second half in leading the Rebels with 17 points. However, he missed a breakaway dunk that would have brought the crowd to its feet.

Oscar Bellfied has 14 points, including making 4-of-5 of his 3-pointers. It’s been a great shooting night for the Rebels, which are shooting 68-percent.

UNLV leading Canisius by 21 points at the half, on pace to score 100 points

The UNLV basketball team is on pace to score 100 points, having their way offensively in the first half with Canisius in leading 54-33 at halftime.

With the exception of a 16-6 scoring rally by Canisius midway through the first half, the Rebels have had their way on both ends of the court. For the most part, this is how everyone envisioned first-year coach Dave Rice’s offense working — fast-paced, easy baskets, high-scoring and entertaining to watch.

UNLV is shooting 67-percent, including 5-of-7 on 3-pointers. From the free throw line, a place they’ve struggled in the first two games, UNLV has made 11-of-15 attempts.

Mike Moser leads UNLV with 10 points, Justin Hawkins has nine, and Chace Stanback and Oscar Bellfield each have eight. Anthony Marshall, who went 0-for-7 Monday against Nevada-Reno, scored his first basket of the season on a breakaway dunk.

Canisius, which has an extremely young roster of relatively inexperienced players, is shooting just 32-percent. They looked gassed after playing Tuesday in Virginia.

Look for some of UNLV’s practice players to get some playing time tonight.

Rebels exchange scoring runs with Canisius, now lead by 11 with eight to play in first half

The UNLV basketball team answered a scoring spurt by Canisius with a run of their own.

Canisius went on a 16-6 run midway through the first half to take a 21-20 advantage, but UNLV has scored the last 12 points and leads 32-21 with 8:16 to play in the half.

Canisius plays just like UNLV with the Griffins pushing the ball up the court at every opportunity and firing shots from the outside. However, it is going to be tough to beat UNLV at its own game in its own arena.

Oscar Bellfield and Kendall Wallace drained 3-pointers during the UNLV outburst, making the Rebels 4-of-6 on 3-pointers for the game.

Eventually, common logic leads me to believe UNLV will wear down Canisius. I hate to keep going back to it, but they arrived in Las Vegas late yesterday after playing Tuesday in Virginia.

Bellfield, Stanback drain early 3-pointer as Rebels jump on Canisius

Oscar Bellfield and Chace Stanback hit 3-pointers in the first two minutes and the UNLV basketball team opened an 8-0 lead against Canisius.

Canisius, which arrived late last night after playing Tuesday in Virginia, already appears exhausted. UNLV is outracing them up-and-down the court, already ahead 14-9 with 15:39 to play in the first half.

Bellfied’s 3-pointer was on the Rebels’ first possession, while Mike Moser and Brice Massamba have followed with relatively easy buckets on the interior.

While UNLV appears to be in line for an easy win, it’s important to note the Rebels have blow double digit leads in each of their initial two games of the season.

It just doesn’t appear Canisius has the energy to rally.

Rebels begin stretch of three games in six days, take on Canisius

A stretch of three games in six days begins tonight for the UNLV basketball team against visiting Canisius at the Thomas & Mack Center.

It’s a perfect opponent for a UNLV team still trying to iron out some preseason wrinkles in terms of its playing rotation, and becoming more familiar with first-year coach Dave Rice’s high-energy attack on both sides of the court. While the opponents — they also Sunday play Morgan State and next Tuesday host Cal-Poly— aren’t household names, they will definitely test the conditioning of the UNLV players.

In each of the first two games, UNLV has had a stretch of bad play that was nearly disastrous.

Monday against Nevada-Reno, the Rebels played solid defense in building an 18-point lead with about seven minutes to play, but allowed the Wolf Pack to close within two points before prevailing, 71-67. UNLV limited Nevada-Reno to 10 field goals and 25-percent shooting in the initial 33 minutes, but couldn’t sustain the effort.

They had a similar stretch of uninspired play last Friday in the opener against Grand Canyon, leading by 13 points in the first half before seeing the lead by trimmed to just one point before halftime. Considering the had a rotation of just seven players, however, the Rebels deserve credit for pulling away in the second half for a comfortable double-digit win.

Tonight could also be another leisurely victory with UNLV favored by 19 points against a Canisius team that relies heavy on guard play and the 3-point shot, and is weaker on the interior.

My prediction: The Rebels’ Anthony Marshall, who went 0-for-7 against Nevada-Reno, will definitely make amends for rough game from the field. He injured the thumb on his shooting hand in the game and had it taped up for Wednesday’s practice. It’s supposed to be minor and won’t be a hindrance. I’m thinking this is the game the Rebels kick their offense into high gear. My final: UNLV 89, Canisius 61.

I will talk to everyone once the game begins. Make sure to follow me on Twitter @raybrewer21.