LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Pacific men's basketball team (11-3) claimed its sixth straight victory and just its third victory at UNLV in program history after defeating the Rebels, 74-66 at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday night. 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• The win marks the Tigers first road victory against UNLV since Jan. 8, 1996.
• Pacific's 11 non-conference wins is the most in program history.
• 11-3 is the best start for a Pacific men's basketball team since 2004-05.
  
   

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

First Half

• There were six lead changes and the game was tied five times throughout the first 20 minutes of play. In addition, neither team held a lead larger than six points. 
• UNLV was on the board first after the Tigers were called on consecutive fouls, the second sending Rebels' Cheikh Mbacke Diong to the free throw line for two shots. Justin Moore drove through the key and evened the score (2-2) on a right-handed layup.
• Scoring was limited by both squads over the next six and a half minutes, with each scoring eight points (10-10).
• Following the second tie of the game (10-10), Pacific scored on consecutive jumpers by Daniss Jenkins and Austin Vereen to gain its largest lead of the half (4 points).
• The score was tied at 22-22, 25-25, and 27-27 before UNLV took its final lead of the half.
• The Rebels went on a 9-2 run in the final three minutes, to conclude first half play with a 35-29 edge.
• Thanks to a team-high 10 points from Justin Moore, Pacific shot a stellar 57.1 percent (4-7) from the three point line and out-shot UNLV 42.3% - 40.0% from the field. 
• Pacific allowed the Rebels to score 15 points off of turnovers and the Tigers were out-shot from the paint (16-8).
   

Second Half

• Pacific went on a 5-0 run after scoring consecutive second-chance baskets at 19:06 and 17:11.
• The Tigers found themselves down by five (39-34) before going on a 10-4 run that gave them a 44-43 lead.
• Between 8:08 and 4:30, Pacific held UNLV from scoring a field goal, out-scoring the Rebels 7-1.
• The Tigers played to its largest lead of 12 points at 1:25.
• Pacific's free throw shooting was put to the ultimate test in the final minute of play, going to the line 11 times. After missing the first three, Pacific went 8-for-8 from the line. Moore led the charge with six made free throws in the last 00:31 of action.
• Pacific scored 16 points off of turnovers and finished with an edge in bench points (36-18) and second chance points (15-4). The Tigers also topped the Rebels in rebounds (34-28), assists (15-11) and blocks (5-3).
  
   

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Moore put forth his best offensive effort of the season en route to being named the City of Stockton Human Resources Hardworking Player of the Game. He shot 6-for-12 from the floor, including a 3-for-5 effort from the three point line, and 7-for-7 from the free throw line for a career-best 22 points. In addition, Moore dished out three assists and had one steal.
• Chivichyan's streak of made three-pointers continues, making at least three baskets from beyond the arc for the fifth straight contest. Against the Rebels, Chivichyan scored 11 points on 3-for-7 shooting from the floor and two made free throws. 
• Defensively speaking, Tripp and James Hampshire led the Tigers with eight rebounds and three blocks, respectively. 

WHAT'S NEXT
Pacific will return to the Alex G. Spanos Center on Saturday, Dec. 21 for its final home non-conference game against Idaho State. Tipoff against the Bengals is set for 7:00 p.m. Video, audio, and live stats links for the contest can be found at pacifictigers.com.

FOLLOW US

For more information about the Pacific men's basketball team, be sure to follow them on twitter (@PacificMensBB) and on Instagram (pacificmensbb).