Blog: Anthony Marshall scores a career-high 27 in 101-78 victory against TCU

By Taylor Bern

Published Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 | 6 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 | 9:34 p.m.

It's a 101-78 for UNLV, and the game wasn't even as close as that score. The Rebels controlled the game from the start. Even during their lapses — most notably the last few minutes of the first half — the Rebels never allowed the Horned Frogs to get closer than 15 points.

Anthony Marshall led the way with a career-high 27 points. He also had nine assists, five rebounds and three blocks. Mike Moser finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season and Chace Stanback poured in 21 points.

The Rebels couldn't have asked for much more in their home conference opener. They will learn from their faults and build on their strengths.

The brightest spot for UNLV right now has to be Marshall. A few games ago he seemed to solidify himself as the third scoring option. Right now, though, he's second to none.

Check back for more later on lasvegassun.com.

UNLV is in cruise control, up 88-67 with 6:41 left against TCU

Anthony Marshall has 21 points and Mike Moser has his ninth double-double of the season (14 points and 12 rebounds) as UNLV leads 88-65 with 6:41 remaining.

The Rebels have accomplished just about everything they could have hoped for thus far. They got out to a good start, the outcome is not in doubt and after some ugly minutes in the first half, the Rebels picked up their intensity — particularly on defense — in the second half. In the last eight minutes, UNLV has at least three highlight-worthy blocks.

It will be interesting to hear what the Rebels have to say about this game. It was over almost from the beginning, but there were lapses, and the players have consistently followed their coach's lead and focused on talking about how they could have played better rather than what they did right.

Mike Moser has his ninth double-double of the season, UNLV leads 67-47

Mike Moser has his ninth double-double of the season, bringing the fans to their feet with a transition slam after Brice Massamba recorded maybe the block of the year at the other end. UNLV leads 67-47 with 14:12 remaining.

As per usual, the Rebels came out firing in the second half. The best sight for coach Dave Rice, though, has to be the Rebels' defense. They're staying aggressive and getting in the Horned Frogs' faces, which is the easiest way for this team to ignite its offense.

For the rest of the game, the best thing the Rebels can do is avoid fouls (keep the clock running) and keep working on the defensive end. Practice will be a lot more pleasant for them if they don't fall into a lapse like they did in the first half.

Chace Stanback has 13 points as UNLV leads TCU 54-39 at halftime

UNLV's blowout has turned into an ugly slap-fight, but the Rebels are still comfortably ahead, taking a a 54-39 lead at halftime. Chace Stanback has a team-leading 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and Anthony Marshall has 11 points.

The Rebels started slowing the game with a plethora of fouls, mostly as the result of laziness on defense that found them out of position. It wasn't enough to make the game close, but it definitely upset coach Dave Rice, who was tugging at his tie as he walked off the court.

UNLV is clearly the better team, there was never any question of that. But UNLV seemed to take that for granted in the final 10 minutes. The Horned Frogs are playing hard for pride, and the Rebels need to match the intensity the rest of the way, if only for their own pride.

Sophomore forward Mike Moser has eight points and seven rebounds. Despite three fouls he's almost assured of another double-double.

The only thing that could possibly derail the Rebels in the second half is that foul trouble — five players have at least two fouls — could allow TCU to get within 10 points at the free-throw line.

That's not likely, but the Rebels can't just believe that. They need to play with purpose to prove to Rice and themselves that they know how to finish off opponents like this, because they'll need that on the road.

Anthony Marshall has 11 points as UNLV leads TCU 41-21 in the first half

The Horned Frogs whittled the deficit to 15, but Anthony Marshall countered with a couple of buckets and the Rebels have a 41-21 lead with 7:11 left in the first half.

The outcome doesn't look like it's in doubt, so the keys for the rest of the game are getting some playing time for a guy like Reggie Smith — he already has three points in two minutes — and keeping the intensity up on defense. It won't be hard for these guys to pile up the points, but coach Dave Rice is going to want to see them keep giving their all at the other end.

Other than that, this is exactly what UNLV wanted. A great start and an opportunity to feel good about themselves before a big game against New Mexico on Saturday.

Rebels race out to an 18-2 lead in first four minutes against TCU

UNLV quickly dismissed any ideas about a hangover from Saturday's loss, hitting its first four 3-pointers and racing out to an 18-2 lead with 15:50 left in the first half. The Rebels are getting open shots in transition making the Horned Frogs uncomfortable on offense.

And things aren't going well off the court for TCU, either. Forward Adrick McKinney stood up to enter the game, and when he took off his warmup, he also removed his jersey, leaving nothing but an undershirt.

Hey, when it's not your night, it's just not your night.

Rebels return against TCU for first home game of the conference season

If they had their way after Saturday’s 69-67 loss at San Diego State, the UNLV basketball team would have played another game Sunday.

After a defeat, the Rebels want to get back on the court as soon as possible. They had to wait a few days, but tonight they get a chance to put that game behind them against TCU. It’s the Rebels first game at home since an historic 124-75 victory against Central Arkansas on Dec. 28.

The Horned Frogs (10-6, 0-1) are definitely a different class of team than the Bears were, but the Rebels goal will be about the same: run the opponent out of the gym.

In San Diego, UNLV made just three of its first 22 shots, a disastrous start that proved too much to overcome. The Rebels haven’t had those type of first-half problems after their other losses this season, securing a 94-50 victory against Cal State San Marcos and a 65-54 victory against UTEP.

Add that motivation with playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in 2012 and the Rebels should be ready to blow the roof off the Mack.

Las Vegas native Hank Thorns will be the man primarily responsible for trying to keep that from happening.

Thorns, a senior guard who played at Las Vegas Valley and transferred from Virginia Tech, leads the Horned Frogs with 13.1 points per game. He scored 21 points in 40 minutes before fouling out in TCU’s conference-opening, double-overtime 95-89 loss at Colorado State.

Thorns’ father, Henry, played football at UNLV and has helped to steer local kids away from trouble through athletics with the Dogcatchers Youth Foundation.

TCU also has a pair of forwards — Garlon Green and Amric Fields — who average at least 10 points per game.

But this game will only be as close as the Rebels allow it to be. They have the better team and every reason to play hard. It’s just a matter of execution.

Bern’s prediction: UNLV’s problems on the road haven’t transferred to Las Vegas, either at Orleans Arena or Thomas & Mack, and they won’t start tonight. The Rebels will be rejuvenated by the home crowd and eager to put the Aztecs loss behind them. UNLV 87, TCU 69.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.