SAN DIEGO (AP)—Wink Adams scored 12 points to lead a balanced scoring attack as UNLV defeated San Diego 66-55 in a nonconference game Saturday night to remain unbeaten.
The Rebels (3-0) handed first-year USD coach Bill Grier his first loss as a college head coach. He spent 16 years as an assistant at Gonzaga before landing the job in San Diego.
The Toreros (2-1) got 23 points and 10 rebounds from Gyno Pomare, both game highs. The 6-foot-8 post player controlled the inside as UNLV felt the absence of 6-foot-10 center Emmanuel Adeife. The junior college transfer was dismissed from the team after complaining about his playing time in the season opener.
The Rebels compensated with tenacious defense that forced the Toreros into 17 turnovers and held them to 36.4 percent shooting (20-for-55).
The Rebels avoided looking ahead to their matchup Wednesday at home against No. 6 Louisville.
Joe Darger joined Adams in double figures with 11 points, and six other players scored at least six points.
UNLV opened an early lead and took a 31-22 advantage into halftime.
USD closed within 33-29 in the first five minutes of the second half as Pomare scored on a tip-in and a layup, and Ray Murdock hit the Toreros’ first 3-pointer of the game.
But UNLV outscored USD 20-8 over the next eight minutes to reassert control.
Adams, the Rebels’ only returning starter from last season’s 30-win team, had eight points during that stretch, including a 3-pointer to start it.
It was the first matchup between UNLV and USD since 1969. UNLV leads the series 5-3.
