LAS VEGAS — Rutgers turned around a six-point halftime deficit to defeat UNLV 80–65 in a strong second-half effort. They scored 47 points after the break, showing off both their offense and defense.
Junior center Emmanuel Ogbole led the charge with a career-high 21 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 7-of-12. He was dominant on the boards, grabbing 11 defensive and six offensive rebounds.
Sophomore forward Dylan Grant also played a key role, contributing 17 points, eight rebounds, and a +19 plus/minus. He hit a pivotal three-pointer that sparked an 11–0 run early in the second half.
Off the bench, junior guard Darren Buchanan Jr. added 15 points, including two three-pointers. Tariq Francis added 11 points, and Jamichael Davis tallied six assists to help rev up the team’s tempo.
The Scarlet Knights dominated the boards, out-rebounding UNLV 45–33 and scoring 16 second-chance points to UNLV’s seven. Meanwhile, UNLV struggled after halftime, shooting just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc.
After trailing 39–33, Rutgers launched the second half with a 14–2 run, building their largest lead at 15 points with just over seven minutes left. They kept UNLV at bay, never allowing them to close the gap.
This win marks a strong finish for Rutgers in Las Vegas, improving their record to 5–3 and setting them up for a challenging Big Ten opener against No. 1 Purdue next week. Purdue is currently undefeated and has defeated top teams, including No. 8 Alabama.
Postgame Insights
- Emmanuel Ogbole made a real impact with his performance—his first half scoring 15 points was the highest of his career.
- Rutgers achieved a milestone with their first win over a Mountain West Conference team since 1993.
Coach’s Comments
Head coach Steve Pikiell praised Ogbole’s effort, saying, “He was fantastic from the start. He worked hard, and I’m proud of him.” He also highlighted the importance of maintaining energy and keeping turnovers in check.
The win signals a promising direction for the Scarlet Knights as they prepare to face tougher competition in the coming weeks. With strong performances like this, they are building momentum. For more stats on college basketball, you can visit NCAA’s official statistics page here.
