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MBK: UNLV Pounds TCU 101-78 At Home Opener

Jan. 18, 2012
Associated Press

LAS VEGAS - While Mike Moser is UNLV's star on the Wooden Award watch list, Anthony Marshall also is turning heads in Sin City.

The junior guard had a career-high 27 points -- besting the 26 he scored at then-No. 22 San Diego State on Saturday -- and nine assists and three blocks to help the Runnin' Rebels (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today, No. 14 AP) rout TCU 101-78 on Wednesday night.

"Anthony Marshall may be playing better than any guard in America," UNLV coach Dave Rice said.

Moser, one of 25 players announced as a midseason candidate for college basketball's best player award, added 16 points and 15 rebounds.

The Runnin' Rebels sprinted to an 18-2 lead and led by at least 13 points the rest of the way in their Mountain West home opener.

"Right now, I'm feeling pretty confident," Marshall said. "Credit goes to my teammates -- they're letting me in the lane and creating."

Chase Stanback had 21 points on 5-of-7 shooting from 3-point range, and UNLV (17-3, 1-1) scored more than 100 points for the second time this season and the first time in 10 years in conference play.

"The biggest thing was coming out and running and setting the pace," Stanback said. "I was fortunate to hit my first two shots. My confidence was sky-high."

Kyan Anderson led the Horned Frogs (10-7, 0-2) with 20 points.

"I take the full blame," TCU coach Jim Christian said. "We did some good things offensively."

The Rebels, looking to bounce back from a loss on Saturday to then-No. 22 San Diego State that dropped the Rebels two spots in the AP poll, ran the floor and looked for 3-point baskets early, finishing the first half having made nine of 15 3-point attempts.

"Tonight, we got back to Runnin' Rebel basketball," Rice said. "We felt like we let a great opportunity slip away in San Diego."

Stanback's 3-pointers pushed UNLV to its lead and later helped the Rebels put any thoughts of a comeback out of the minds of TCU's players.

UNLV tightened up on its fouls in the second half, committing just five compared with 15 in the first half, keeping TCU off the free throw line and allowing the Rebels to increase their lead.

TCU made 15 of 20 free throws in the first half and finished 21-for-29. The Rebels finished 16-for-28 from the line.

Moser committed three fouls during the first half but none in the second half in 15 minutes of play. Moser is averaging a double-double this season in points and rebounds, having started each of the Rebels' 20 games.

The Horned Frogs' output was below their season average of 89 points heading into the contest.

"We need to take care of the basketball," Christian said.