LAS VEGAS — In an exciting showdown on Saturday night, Dedan Thomas Jr. contributed significantly to UNLV’s 79-73 victory over San Jose State, scoring 17 points.
Along with his scoring, Thomas also provided six assists for the Rebels, who now boast a record of 9-5 and remain undefeated in the Mountain West Conference with three wins. Jailen Bedford performed well, pitching in 16 points and showcasing his shooting skills with a 5-for-11 performance, including three successful three-point attempts and three made free throws. Jaden Henley matched his efforts with 13 points, hitting 5 of 11 shots from the field, while also grabbing five rebounds and assisting on six plays.
For the Spartans, who now stand at 7-9 overall and 0-4 in conference play, Josh Uduje was the standout performer, finishing with 18 points. Will McClendon contributed a solid 15 points and recorded four assists, while Robert Vaihola brought down eight rebounds alongside his 13 points.
The game featured an impressive first half by UNLV, as they built a substantial 44-26 lead heading into halftime, with Bedford leading the charge with nine points in that period. Although the second half saw the Rebels get outscored by 12 points, Thomas’s 11 points in the final half were crucial for maintaining their edge and securing the win.
Both teams are set to continue their season on Tuesday, with UNLV traveling to face Boise State and San Jose State preparing to host Utah State.