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RUNNIN’ REBELS AT UNR SATURDAY NIGHT ON ESPNU
Annual Governor’s Series matchup renews in men’s basketball at 7 p.m. in Reno
The UNLV men’s basketball team will be looking for its fourth straight win and second on the road in Mountain West play on Saturday, Jan. 23, as it travels to Reno, Nev., to face intrastate rival Nevada, Reno at the Lawlor Events Center (11,536) at 7 p.m.
The game is part of the Governor’s Series, presented by NV Energy and Barrick Gold, which is a head-to-head athletic and academic challenge between UNLV and UNR. The winner of the season series in men’s basketball will earn three points toward the final score. UNLV, which has won each of the first three years of the competition, leads this year’s contest 7.5-4.5.
UNLV has won each of its three games under Interim Head Coach Todd Simon. The Runnin’ Rebels (12-7, 3-3 MW) have averaged 88.7 ppg in victories over New Mexico (86-74) on Jan. 12, Air Force (100-64) last Saturday and at Utah State (80-68) on Tuesday. UNLV has scored 80 or more points in three straight conference games for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. Prior to the New Mexico game, the Runnin’ Rebels had lost three straight to open conference play by a combined six points. The UNM win also ended a stretch of five losses in six games for UNLV.
The Runnin’ Rebels were 9-4 during its non-conference season, playing three top-15 teams. UNLV went 2-1 in such games recording wins vs. then-No. 13/14 Indiana at the Maui Invitational and vs. then-No. 15/16 Oregon at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The loss was at then-No. 13/12 Arizona.
Nevada, Reno (11-7, 3-3) is coming off a 75-69 win at Wyoming on Wednesday.
Saturday’s game will be televised nationally on ESPNU with Eric Rothman and Mike Montgomery calling the action. Jon Sandler and Robert Smith will handle the UNLV radio broadcast, which may be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100 AM/100.9 FM. All internet links along with live stats will be available at UNLVRebels.com.
