RUNNIN’ REBELS TO RETIRE EDDIE OWENS’ JERSEY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
UNLV’s all-time leading scorer to be honored at halftime during Nov. 16 game vs. UC Riverside
Eddie Owens, the former Runnin’ Rebel All-American and the all-time leading scorer in program history, will have his UNLV jersey retired during a special ceremony at halftime of the men’s basketball game vs. UC Riverside on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Owens, who starred at UNLV from 1973-77 under Hall of Fame coach Jerry Tarkanian, was part of the “Hardway Eight,” the 1976-77 Runnin’ Rebels that put the program on the national map and advanced to the school’s first NCAA Final Four.
Owens scored 2,221 points during his UNLV career, 148 more points than any other Runnin’ Rebel in history – and did so before the introduction of the 3-pointer. He also holds the UNLV record for most field goals made in a career with 913.
In addition, Owens ranks in the top 10 in program history in most career free throws made (395), points scored in a season (twice), career scoring average (18.8 ppg) and seasonal scoring average (23.4 ppg in 1975-76). He paced the team in scoring for three consecutive campaigns (one of only two Runnin’ Rebels to do so in the last 40 years).
He was the emerging program’s second All-American when he was tabbed First Team by a pair of outlets as a junior in 1976. The native of Houston, Texas, scored 39 points in a game in 1976, which is among the top-20 performances in UNLV history.
“Through their talent, success and style of play, Eddie Owens and the Hardway Eight established Runnin’ Rebel Basketball as a national power,” said UNLV Director of Athletics Tina Kunzer-Murphy. “The success our program enjoyed during subsequent decades was built upon what Eddie and his teammates achieved. To be the all-time leading scorer in the history of our program is an incredible accomplishment. Eddie means so much to the tradition of Runnin’ Rebel Basketball, and we are proud to honor and pay tribute to him in this way.”
The team gained fame during his senior season by setting NCAA records for most points in a season (3,246), most 100-point games (23) and most consecutive 100-point games (12).
In his final collegiate game, Owens scored 34 points to lead UNLV to a 106-94 victory over UNC Charlotte in the now-defunct consolation game of the NCAA Tournament to make the Runnin’ Rebels a stunning 102-16 during his four years on the court.
Selected in the second round of the 1977 NBA Draft by the Kansas City Kings (31st overall), he played one season in the league for Buffalo.
Owens’ number 11 will be the ninth player jersey to be retired by the school in men’s basketball. Owens was inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
In addition to the jersey retirement ceremony, new art will be installed on the Thomas & Mack Center’s concourse prior to Wednesday’s game recognizing the “Hardway Eight” and the 1976-77 Runnin’ Rebel team’s accomplishments.
UNLV’s game vs. UCR on Wednesday is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 702-739-FANS (3267) or in person at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.