LAS VEGAS — UNLV took down Alabama State 93-79 on Monday night at the Thomas and Mack Center, fueled by Dedan Thomas Jr. and Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry.
The Rebels enter the year looking to build off last season, when they had postseason success for the first time in over a decade. They won the first two rounds of the NIT over Princeton and Boston College, and return this year with dreams of dancing in March.
This season's start took a much different tone from last November, when UNLV lost by 14 points to Southern University despite being favored by 21.5.
After a back-and-forth beginning, the Rebels took a decisive lead with 9:53 left in the first half and never forfeited it. The Hornets stuck around, not allowing separation as they mounted mini runs to cut into the lead.
With 2:11 remaining in the game, Cherry slipped under the rim and finished a layup plus the foul to put UNLV up double-digits and secure the win.
Last year’s Mountain West Co-Freshman of the year, point guard Dedan Thomas, led the way offensively with 17 points and 7 assists, going 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. Just last week, Thomas was aided by a walking boot and crutches, with many presuming he’d miss weeks. He looked as spry as ever on Monday and found great success in the pick-and-roll game with Cherry, as well as at the charity stripe.
Thomas logged a team-high 30 minutes on the floor and finished with a team-high +21 +/-, as coach Kevin Kruger clearly wasn't concerned with his ankle.
"(My ankle) felt good tonight," Thomas said. "Throughout the week it got better and better every day. Our trainer Kalani did a great job and got me back ready to play, so it felt good."
Cherry transferred to UNLV this year from New Mexico Junior College, and has made an immediate impact. The 6’11”, 280-pound Junior was a bully in the paint, posting 24 points on 10-of-11 from the field, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks in the win.
"I've been doubted my whole life," Cherry said. "So it felt great to get out and let people know who I am. You can ask DJ, we've been talking about this for months."
This dominance translated to the team performance, as the Rebels outscored the Hornets 42-26 in the paint and also won the rebounding battle 38-30.
"It was a bucket every time (Cherry) got it," Thomas said. "He and Rob especially, they couldn't stop them down there so we just kept feeding them.
"Proud of Bear and Rob, how they played tonight and I just think that was a heck of a debut from Bear. More to come."
Sixth year transfer Julian Rishwain chipped in 13 points on 4-of-8 from three, providing much needed spacing for the Rebels. Rishwain shot 40% from deep last season at Florida, and adds a dynamic that this offense was missing last year: a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat.
"For Julian to come off the bench and make shots early was really good for us, we really needed it," Kruger said. "They were clean looks, clean catches, and we want those guys to shoot it every time they get a clean catch and look at the rim."
Amarr Knox led Alabama State with 19 points and five assists, shooting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. The trouble dealing with Cherry underneath led to two Hornets front court players fouling out, including starting center Ubong Okon in just 12 minutes and forward Jasteven Walker in 13 minutes.
The Rebels' next matchup is 3 p.m. Saturday, when they'll take on coach Penny Hardaway and Memphis at the Thomas and Mack Center.