LAS VEGAS – Dedan Thomas Jr. scored 11 of his 17 points in the second half to stave off a push from San Jose State and secure a 79-73 win for UNLV on Saturday at the Thomas and Mack Center.
The reigning Co-Freshman of the Year Thomas added six assists and only one turnover on 5-of-11 from the field and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line.
Jailen Bedford provided a key spark off the bench again, as he posted 16 points and a team-high +14 +/- in just 18 minutes on the floor. Over the last three games, Bedford is averaging 15 points in just over 19 minutes per game as he’s found comfort and success in the sparkplug sixth-man role.
“We brought him here to be aggressive, to be a scoring punch,” coach Kevin Kruger said of Bedford. “His quickness and ability to shoot the ball off the dribble is at an elite level and that’s something that has fit in really well with this group.
“You have him coming off the bench full of energy, and his ability to score quickly is something that’s been a huge advantage for us in the last couple games.”
Brooklyn Hicks had eight points, two steals and 16 minutes of relentless defense as he and Bedford have carved out crucial complimentary roles on the second unit.
Jaden Henley scored 13 to go along with five rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, and Jalen Hill posted 10 points and five rebounds as the Rebels had four scorers in double figures again.
UNLV shot 51% from the field and 46% from deep, and posted 17 assists to just five turnovers, including 11-to-1 in the first half.
Josh Oduje led SJSU with 18 points and four rebounds and Donavan Yap, older brother of UNLV freshman DeMarion Yap, rounded out the fifth Spartan in double-digits with 10.
After a slow start for both teams had them knotted at 10-10, UNLV began scorching the net in a 34-16 run to take an 18-point lead into half. The Rebels shot 52% in the first half while holding the Spartans to an abysmal 26% and forcing eight turnovers while allowing just four assists.
The Rebels carried a 17-point lead with 7:20 to play in the second half before allowing a 14-0 run that cut their lead to just one possession.
After that, it was closing time for the Rebels’ star, as Thomas scored the next seven points to secure the UNLV win, despite 1-of-7 shooting as a team down the final 7-minute stretch.
With the victory, UNLV (9-5, 3-0) moves into third place in the Mountain West and remains unbeaten in conference play, while SJSU (7-9, 0-4) is still in search for their first conference win as they sit in last place.
UNLV’s next matchup is on the road against Boise State, who just fell one spot below the Rebels in the standings following their 76-68 loss to San Diego State on Saturday. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at ExtraMile Arena in Boise.