Harkless heroics helps Rebels down Falcons
AN EXQUISITE offensive performance from EJ Harkless has seen the UNLV Rebels defeat the Air Force Falcons to the tune of eight points in the Mountain West Championship in the NCAAM.
The two sides faced off at Thomas & Mack Center earlier on Thursday in a game that ended up needing overtime to split the two teams.
After an extremely even two halves in regulation, proceedings were tied as the final buzzer sounded, but it was the Rebels who struck when it counted, outscoring the opposition 21-13 in OT to seal their 19th win of the season.
Harkless was the clear standout of the match, producing a seriously impressive offensive performance. He was a problem all day for the Falcons defence and proved to be the difference in an arm-wrestle of a match.
Air Force Falcons (70) def. by UNLV Rebels (78)
EJ Harkless – 35 points, six rebounds, four assists
Harkless produced a vital performance in one of the biggest tests the Rebels have faced this season, playing a crucial role.
A game-high 35 points ended up being the difference in a close contest, showcasing a serious level of professional shotmaking.
Holding one of the highest usage rates of any player on the court, the guard made the most of the opportunities he and his teammates created.
Shooting 9/20 from the field, Harkless did not shy away from putting up an attempt from the field, and took nine more shots than any other Rebel.
From behind the arc, Harkess shot 40 per cent on 4/10 shooting, including a three-pointer at the start of overtime to set the tone for his side.
The guard did his best work from the charity stripe, constantly drawing contact and making the opposition pay. From the free throw line, he nailed 13 of his 18 attempts, with a number of those makes coming late in overtime.
Whenever the Rebels needed a basket, Harkless was their go-to man, recording some crucial points in crunch time of the match. He poured in 11 of his side’s 21 points in overtime, further demonstrating his ability to carry an offence on his own.
Had Harkless not exploded on the offensive end, it seems a safe assumption to say the Rebels would not have got over the line. His 35 points were immense in the context of the game, and ended up being a match winning factor in the end.
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