TEMPE, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV men’s basketball team (4-3) was defeated by Northwestern (6-2), 66-61, in the Arizona Tip-Off at Mullett Arena on Friday.

Dedan Thomas Jr. And Jailen Bedford led the Runnin’ Rebels with 17 and 15 points, respectively. Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry had a game-high 10 rebounds while Jacob Bannarbiemaking his first career start, pulled down eight boards.

The Wildcats were led by Brooks Barnhizer with 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He made a game-high four 3-pointers. Jalen Leach added 15 points and Nick Martinelli scored 12.

THE ROUTE DOWN: Northwestern led 26-25 at halftime and remained close for most of the second half. The Wildcats led by six with eight minutes to play, but Julian Rishwain hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to just two at 51-49. However, Northwestern extended its lead back to seven with two minutes left. A 3-pointer from Bedford cut the score to four with 1:43 left, but it was more than possible.

QUOTABLE: “We just need to tighten up a few things, but the guys are working on it. We are a great spark.” Jacob Bannarbie on the starting grid and off Jailen Bedford from the bank. Great minutes all around. I thought everyone contributed and did a good job, but in the end it just came down to a few critical plays where we just had to come up with a loose ball and a rebound. We did a good job offensively and had some good performances. Northwestern is a really good defensive team, it always has been. So it’s a good task to share it, move it and create it for each other. But again, we can take the next step and not just get a good shot every time, but a really good or great shot, and we’ll continue to work on that. But the fight tonight was much better and we have to do that before every game.” – UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger.

NOTES:

– This was only the second ever between the two schools. UNLV won the only previous meeting, 101-95 in Las Vegas in 1977.

– Bedford was 6 of 7 from the field, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers, off the bench.

– Northwestern (18 of 26) shot 16 more free throws than UNLV (7 of 10).

– UNLV edged the Wildcats 34-33.

– The Runnin’ Rebels held Northwestern to just 29.2% (7 of 24) field goals in the first half, but the Wildcats shot 52.0% (13 of 25) after halftime.

– Northwestern led 13-7 after turnovers, but the Runnin’ Rebels had the edge in team points (32-18) and bench points (19-7).

– UNLV recorded 14 turnovers while Northwestern had 12.

– Northwestern led in assists 15-9.
– UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in an NCAA-record 1,234 consecutive games.

NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN’ REBELS: UNLV’s next game is Saturday, Dec. 7 at No. 21/19 Creighton. The 1 p.m. PT game will be broadcast live on FS1 and the radio call can be heard on ESPN Radio 1100 AM in Las Vegas.

TICKETS: UNLV men Basketball tickets can be purchased at UNLVtickets.comby calling 702-739-3267 or at the Thomas & Mack Center box office.

KEVIN KRUGER RADIO SHOW: The first on site Kevin Kruger The season’s radio show is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, at 6 p.m. at the PKWY Tavern District in Green Valley. Fans are encouraged to attend in person and enjoy $2 Miller Lites during the broadcast, which airs live on ESPN Radio 11 a.m. in Las Vegas.