Las Vegas Sun

April 24, 2024

UNLV basketball:

Rebels ranked 18th in Associated Press poll; forward Moser honored again by league

Las Vegas Invitational UNLV vs. UNC

Sam Morris

UNLV forward Mike Moser and University of North Carolina’s Desmond Hubert fight for a rebound during the Las Vegas Invitational championship game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 at the Orleans Arena. The Rebels upset the number one ranked Tar Heels 90-80.

UNLV scores big win against North Carolina

UNLV forward Carlos Lopez celebrates the Rebels' upset of UNC with a court full of fans at the Las Vegas Invitational championship game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at the Orleans Arena. UNLV beat the No. 1-ranked Tar Heels 90-80. Launch slideshow »

The UNLV basketball team’s upset of North Carolina Saturday has landed the Rebels in both national rankings.

The Rebels broke into the rankings for the first time this season on Monday, being ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press poll and No. 20 in the Coaches’ Poll.

North Carolina, which last week received 62 of 64 first-place votes by the AP, dropped to No. 5. Kentucky is the new No. 1 team, followed by Ohio State at No. 2.

UNLV (7-0) beat North Carolina in the finals of the Las Vegas Invitational, capping a 4-0 performance in the event. UNLV also defeated Morgan State, Cal Poly and USC.

In the 90-80 win against North Carolina, the Rebels opened the second half with 14 unanswered points to erase a four-point halftime deficit and never trailed again. Senior Chace Stanback had a game-high 28 points, while Mike Moser continued to dominant the opposition with 16 points and 18 rebounds.

Also Monday, Moser was again named the Mountain West Conference’s Player of the Week. Moser, who last week also won the league award, averaged 13.3 points, 13 rebounds and 2.7 assists in the Rebels’ three games last week. He was 14-of-15 from the free throw line.

The Rebels’ ranking will immediately be put on the line this week when they play a pair of road games — challenging contests on Wednesday at Santa Barbara and Sunday at Wichita State.

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

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