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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
The last time UNLV’s mens basketball team played on the court at Thomas & Mack Center, the team that finished fourth in the vaunted Mountain West Conference lost to a battle-tested San Diego State Aztecs squad in the MWC’s quarterfinals.
Freshman Dedan Thomas, Jr., who had a career high in points against San Diego State, walked off the floor with his teammates thinking they played their last game of the season at Thomas & Mack.
Funny how things can work out in sports.
Unlike some teams that were disappointed about not getting selected for the NCAA basketball tournament, UNLV accepted a bid to the National Invitational Tournament. The Runnin’ Rebels defeated Princeton in New Jersey in the NIT’s opening round and as things would go they earned a home date at Thomas & Mack to play Boston College of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Boston College Eagles are 20-15, including winning only eight of 20 conference games.
Interestingly enough, the NIT received $150,000 from the LVCVA public tourism agency only a year ago to stage the semifinals and final at Orleans Arena. The semifinals brought an attendance of 2,931.
This year, the NIT semifinals and finals are scheduled for Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis April 2 and 4.
Here’s a look at the UNLV ticket prices for this evening’s game:
A spirited crowd wearing UNLV red watched the Runnin’ Rebels win, 79-70, thanks to an 11-0 run in the second half after a 37-37 tie at halftime. Interestingly enough, the attendance was announced at 5,543 but this was the rare instance when it appeared there were actually more people in the arena than the number reported. Perhaps it was the lively crowd and its noise for the UNLV’s mens hoopsters.
A day after UNLV Lady Rebels lost to Creighton in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament, the UNLV’s men team committed only one turnover and now head to New Jersey to play Seton Hall in the NIT quarterfinals.
“Great couple months playing for each other,” UNLV coach Kevin Kruger said after the game. “They just pick each other up.”
UNLV enjoyed the return of Kalib Boone, who was injured against San Diego State in the Mountain West tourney. It likely cost the Rebels a win because Kalib Boone is a force on the boards. San Diego State had 25 offensive rebounds in the OT win over UNLV in the tourney.
Kalib Boone came off the bench tonight and scored 16 points, while Thomas had a solid game with 17 points. Boone’s twin brother, Keylan Boone, scored 19 points to lead UNLV.