Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
No. 5 Blue Devils breeze past UNLV in T-Mobile romp
UNLV played its usual pregame video before the Rebels’ starting lineup was announced, but this time sprinkled in highlights of the program’s victory in the 1990 national championship.
The Rebels are seen dominating Duke in that video.
After what happened Saturday, that seems like a lifetime ago. The fifthranked Blue Devils crushed UNLV 94-45 before an announced sellout of 19,107 in the first college basketball game at T-Mobile Arena.
“It’s disappointing we weren’t able to put our best foot forward,” coach Marvin Menzies said. “Obviously, the outcome wasn’t near what we wanted to exhibit in terms of what we’ve been doing in practice and the steps we’ve been making. It’s always hard to lose, but it’s really tough to swallow when you don’t play up to your capabilities.”
Duke (10-1), a 24-point favorite, beat the Rebels (5-4) in just about every way. The Blue Devils, who shot 58.7 percent, were led by Grayson Allen’s 34 points on 12-of-16 shooting. Three other Blue Devils scored in double figures.
Bishop Gorman graduate Chase Jeter started for Duke and had two points and three rebounds in 15 minutes.
Jalen Poyser scored 16 points as the only Rebel in double figures. Forward Christian Jones, back after missing five games with a foot injury, was scoreless in 17 minutes and had five rebounds.
UNLV lost back-to-back games for the first time this season.