LAS VEGAS – TCU's shot at contending with No. 14 UNLV on Wednesday night was gone moments after the opening tip.
The Runnin' Rebels scurried to an 18-2 lead, and the Horned Frogs failed to get closer than 13 points in a 101-78 loss Wednesday night.
"The start of the game was a lack of focus on our side — we could have done a little better," said Kyan Anderson, who led TCU with 20 points. "They got out in transition, especially (Mike) Moser and (Chace) Stanback."
TCU coach Jim Christian said he takes full blame for the loss.
"We did some good things offensively," he said.
The Horned Frogs' output was below its season average of 89 points heading into the contest.
"We need to take care of the basketball," Christian said.
Anthony Marshall had a career-high 27 points — besting the 26 he scored at then-No. 22 San Diego State on Saturday — and nine assists and three blocks in the Rebels' Mountain West home opener.
"Anthony Marshall may be playing better than any guard in America," UNLV coach Dave Rice said.
"Right now, I'm feeling pretty confident," Marshall said. "Credit goes to my teammates — they're letting me in the lane and creating."
Moser added 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Stanback had 21 points on 5 of 7 shooting from 3-point range, and UNLV (17-3, 1-1) scored more than 100 points for the second time this season and the first time in 10 years in conference play.
"The biggest thing was coming out and running and setting the pace," Stanback said. "I was fortunate to hit my first two shots. My confidence was sky-high."
The Rebels, looking to bounce back from a loss on Saturday to then No. 22 San Diego State that dropped the Rebels two spots in the AP poll, ran the floor and looked for 3-point baskets early, finishing the first half making 9 of 15 3-point attempts.
"Tonight, we got back to Runnin' Rebel basketball," Rice said. "We felt like we let a great opportunity slip away in San Diego."
Stanback's 3-pointers pushed UNLV to its lead, and later helped the Rebels put any thoughts of a comeback out of the minds of TCU's players.
UNLV tightened up on its fouls in the second half, committing just five compared with 15 in the first half, keeping TCU off the free-throw line and allowing the Rebels to increase their lead.
TCU made 15 of 20 free throws in the first half, and finished 21 for 29. The Rebels were 16 for 28 from the line.
Moser committed three fouls during the first half, but none in the second half in 15 minutes of play. Moser is averaging a double-double this season in points and rebounds.
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Oskar Garcia can be reached at http://twitter.com/oskargarcia
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