Top-Ranked UNLV Overwhelms San Jose State With Defense, 88-64

SAN JOSE — Larry Johnson scored 21 points and the Nevada Las Vegas defense carried the top-ranked Rebels to their 28th consecutive victory, 88-64 over San Jose State, in a Big West Conference game Thursday night.

The Rebels (17-0 overall, 10-0 in the Big West) became the nation’s only undefeated Division I team when No. 3 Ohio State lost to Michigan State, 75-61, Thursday night.

Mike Wasserburger scored 15 points for San Jose (3-7, 5-14). Anderson Hunt added 15 points for UNLV.

The Rebels, who have not lost in 21 meetings with San Jose State, held a 51-34 halftime lead behind relentless defensive pressure, forcing the Spartans into nine first-half turnovers. The Rebels also blocked four shots and had six steals.