Mack's career-high 31 points propel UNLV to season opening win
LAS VEGAS – It wasn’t always pretty, but Sebastian Mack made it memorable.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Sebastian Mack made a memorable debut for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, scoring a career-high 31 points in their season opener against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. The freshman guard, who transferred from Missouri, led all scorers at halftime with 17 points and continued his strong performance in the second half, adding 14 more points to help UNLV secure a 89-77 victory.
Shooting 10-of-20 from the field and 4-of-9 from three, Mack also converted seven of eight free throws. Despite a strong first half performance from UNLV, the Lumberjacks mounted a 17-4 run and led by as many as 12 points in the first period. However, the Rebels turned their fortunes around in the second half, led by sophomore guard Kota Suttle Jr., who finished with three points and two steals.
Head coach Josh Pastner praised the team's second-half improvement, attributing it to their improved defensive press. Freshman center Jeremy Foumena and guard Dontrez Williams also contributed significantly, with Foumena notching a double-double and Williams hitting a crucial first-half buzzer-beater. Despite a few turnovers, Mack remained focused on the win, stating that it was the first of the season and they planned to build on it.
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