UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Crush Air Force, But Thomas & Mack Crowd Remains Small For Growing Las Vegas Market
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — It’s a pretty good ticket deal when you consider how expensive the price is to attend a pro sports game these days in Las Vegas.
UNLV was peddling a four-ticket deal for $52, which included chicken fingers and fries for Tuesday’s Runnin’ Rebels-Air Force men’s college hoops match-up.
That’s 13 bucks per ticket for a seat at Thomas & Mack Center and a basket of chicken fingers — not too shabby in a red-hot sports market that includes the NFL Raiders and NHL Golden Knights, known for their triple-figure ticket prices.
UNLV also partnered with Vet Tix for this game to provide hundreds of veterans with tickets.
Perhaps you recall that Air Force sprung an upset on UNLV here last season, but the Runnin’ Rebels were not going to allow a repeat of that.
UNLV ran out to a 44-22 lead at halftime and cruised to a lopsided win over a 3-22 Air Force team, 77-52.
Still, attendance is disappointing.
There are no big crowds anymore. Attendance was reported at 5,004 but the vibe inside the big college arena was that of a small crowd.
UNLV relied on five players who scored in double figures and star guard Dedan Thomas, Jr. was not even among them.
Bear Cherry led the way with 15 points, while Julian Rishwain had 13 points. Jaden Henley, Brooklyn Hicks and Jailen Bedford each notched 11.
UNLV has won 13 of 25 games, including splitting 14 games in the Mountain West Conference.
UNLV will have to win the league’s tournament here at Thomas & Mack in March to make the NCAA’s Big Dance.
