In their first games in the tournament, UNLV won with defense and Central Michigan won with offense (keyed by PG Chuck Livas’ 26 points).
Starting lineups:
UNLV: PG 6-0 Clyde Ruddock, SG 6-3 George Finley, SF 6-5 Rick Watkins, PF 6-8 Geoff Ahern, C 6-9 Simon Ellis
Central Michigan: PG 6-4 Chuck Livas, SG 6-1 Tremaine Moore, SF 6-6 Jarvis Martin, PF 6-7 Joe Evans, C 6-10 Ramsey Millar
Central Michigan hit their first 4 shots (including two 3’s) and took an 11-3 lead after 2-1/2 minutes of play. UNLV clawed their way back within 1 point of the lead only to see the Chippewas score 12 straight points that put them ahead 24-11 midway through the first half. Central Michigan led 43-31 at the half time break.
The Chippewas outshot the Runnin’ Rebels 60% to 45% but UNLV held a 14-10 rebounding advantage. PF Joe Evans led Central Michigan’s scoring with 10 points. UNLV’s scoring was paced by SF Rick Watkins 7 points. The question at the half is whether UNLV could tame the Chippewas high octane offense.
UNLV held Central Michigan scoreless for the nearly the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half but could only score 5 points themselves to trim the lead to 7 points. Turnovers kept the Runnin’ Rebels from getting close. Additionally, Central Michigan’s shot selection kept their shooting percentage high. UNLV simply ran into a buzzsaw.
Final Score: Central Michigan—71, UNLV—58.
UNLV: PG Clyde Ruddock-9/4/0, SG George Finley-6/0/0, SF Rick Watkins-14/2/2, PF Geoff Ahern-10/1/8, C Simon Ellis-8/0/4; Bench player: Matt Jones-5/1/2.
Runnin’Rebels team stats: FG%-46%, 13 of 20 FT’s, 7 of 18 Threes, 25 Rebs, 18 TO’s, 11 PF’s.
Central Michigan: PG Chuck Livas-10/3/2, SG Tremaine Moore-15/3/0, SF Jarvis Martin-3/0/1, PF Joe Evans-10/0/6, C Ramsey Millar-10/3/3; Bench players: Ricardo Dix-6/2/0, Tim Cornell-6/1/0, Brian Watkins-6/0/3.
Chippewas team stats: FG%-57%, 9 of 13 FT’s, 10 of 21 Threes, 18 Rebs, 13 TO’s, 18 PF’s.
Player of the Game: Central Michigan SG Tremaine Moore-15 pts, 3 assists, 1 steal.
[Side note]--The lone UNLV fan at the game, a man simply identified by the UNLV jersey with the name "WAYNE" on the back, glumly walks out of the arena, muttering under his breath, "I waited all that time for THAT?"