LAS VEGAS — UNLV overcame a sluggish start with a dominant second-half performance, surging past Air Force 68-59 in the first round of the Mountain West Championship on Wednesday. The Rebels erupted for a 17-0 run after halftime, flipping the game in their favor and securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
Sixth-seeded UNLV struggled early, shooting just 24% (7-for-29) from the field and a dismal 15% (2-for-13) from three in the first half. Air Force took advantage, leading 25-21 at halftime behind sharp shooting from senior guard Ethan Taylor.
The second half told a completely different story. The Rebels shot an incredible 73% (16-of-22) from the field and 50% (4-of-8) from three after the break, overwhelming the Falcons with deep post touches and hot jumpshooting.
Jalen Hill played all 40 minutes for the second straight game, finishing with a team-high 18 points, 13 of which came after halftime. He nearly posted a triple-double, adding 10 rebounds and seven assists while also contributing two steals and a block.
Jailen Bedford and Jeremiah "Bear" Cherry were instrumental in the massive unanswered run and comeback. Bedford, who left late in the first half after taking a shot above the eye, returned with his right eye nearly swollen shut but provided a much-needed perimeter spark. He knocked down all three of his second-half three-pointers, finishing with 13 points.
Asked whether he thought Bedford would get back on the floor with the swelling, coach Kevin Kruger was skeptical, to say the least.
“No, no, no. I was certain at that point,” Kruger said. “That's kind of been par for the course for us, where somebody's gotten hurt pretty early and then guys have had to rally and figure it out.”
“But, yeah, when he walked over toward the sideline, I mean, it was about the size of a golf ball when Amy Bonner saw it, the ref, and she stopped play. There was no way he could see out of it at that point.”
Cherry also came alive in the second half after coming up empty on four attempts from the field before the break. The junior forward finished 4-for-4 after halftime, tallying 13 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. His deep post positioning and defensive presence helped UNLV take control down the stretch.
“I think in the first half we were kind of playing a little scary,” Cherry said. “[We] didn't want to take the contact and Coach Kruger was like, pump fake and go into their bodies and we started being aggressive and it worked out.”
Kalin Sipes - The Sporting Tribune
UNLV forward Jeremiah Cherry (45) attempts a two point basket during Mountain West basketball tournament game against Air Force on Wednesday March 12, 2025 in Las Vegas.
Jaden Henley had a tough night shooting (4-for-15 FG, 1-for-9 3PT) but played all 20 minutes in the second half, making key plays on both ends to help the Rebels close out the win.
Air Force’s Ethan Taylor carried the Falcons, scoring 23 points, including seven three-pointers on 50% shooting. However, he received little help. The rest of the team combined to shoot just 4-of-24 from beyond the arc.
With DJ Thomas Jr. already sidelined and sharpshooter Julian Rishwain missing his first full game since his knee injury, Kruger leaned deeper into his rotation. Freshman DeMarion Yap provided a key first-half spark, hitting a much-needed three-pointer to keep UNLV within striking distance.
“It was just great to see Mari's three go in,” Kruger said. “That was awesome, to see him step in there, for somebody who played the scout team for five months of the year, and then all of a sudden he's flipping over red. And then to go out there and make a really big three, it was great to see, and I think it got the guys going a little bit.”
Isaiah Cottrell also stepped up, allowing the Rebels to add a bigger frontcourt to lineups. He contributed three points, three rebounds, and two key assists during the pivotal 17-0 run that swung the game.
“They don't ever get down about not playing, and when their name is called, they just step up,” Hill said of Yap and Cottrell. “I'll say that in practice it just starts there. It starts in film.”
With the lineup so thin from injuries, Kruger anticipates having to lean on players in spots they’re not familiar with.
“Kind of like DeMarion and Ice did tonight, whatever is asked in whatever situation, they didn't bat an eye at it,” Kruger said. “Neither one of them played any portion of their minutes tonight at any spot that they had practiced at, not just the last two days, but even throughout the year.”
With the win, UNLV moves on to face No. 3 seed Utah State in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 8:30 p.m.
“Utah State, I mean they're such a good team,” Kruger said. “They play so well together, and they play off of each other and make plays for each other. So we've gotta really be dialed in.”
