UNLV Rebels guard EJ Harkless (55) and San Diego State Aztecs guard Lamont Butler (5) go after a loose ball during the first half of a NCAA basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022.
Published Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Updated Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 | 3:34 p.m.
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UNLV just couldn't make a shot when it mattered, and San Diego State held on for a 76-67 win at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Scarlet and Gray dug themselves into an 11-point hole at halftime but made a handful of runs throughout the final 20 minutes. They got within five points midway through the half, but could never seem to make the big shot when it presented itself. Luis Rodriguez scored a team-high 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, but E.J. Harkless went 6-of-19 from the field, Jordan McCabe went 1-of-6 (all from long range) and Keshon Gilbert was held without a field goal for the first time this year.
San Diego State committed 21 turnovers, but made a healthy 45.1% from the field, led by Matt Bradley's 23 points.
After a 10-0 start to the season, UNLV has now lost three of four games, including an 0-2 start in Mountain West play. They'll have a week off before traveling to take on New Mexico on Saturday.
UNLV down 61-54 with four minutes remaining
Just when it looked like this one might be over, UNLV has made another run. With 3:51 remaining, the Scarlet and Gray have trimmed San Diego State's lead to 61-54.
San Diego State pushed its lead as high as 14 points, but Luis Rodriguez converted a breakaway dunk and then hit a stepback 2-pointer to power an 11-2 run for the home team. Rodriguez is up to 21 points on the day.
Matt Bradley continues to be a difficult cover for the UNLV defense, as he's got a game-high 22 points.
UNLV trying to come back against San Diego State
UNLV is trying to chip away, but with 11:44 remaining San Diego State still maintains a 50-43 lead.
The Scarlet and Gray have picked up their defensive intensity in the second half, holding SDSU to 2-of-9 from the field. At the other end, Luis Rodriguez has scored a team-high 15 points, including five points during a 7-0 run that has gotten UNLV back within striking distance.
What UNLV needs most of all is some production from E.J. Harkless and Keshon Gilbert, who are a combined 2-of-14 from the field.
Matt Bradley leads San Diego State with 16 points and two steals.
San Diego State leads UNLV at half, 44-33
San Diego State is hot from beyond the arc, and they've taken a 44-33 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Aztecs leading scorers Matt Bradley (14 points) and Darrion Trammell (six points) have combined to make 6-of-10 from 3-point range, and SDSU has connected on 8-of-14 as a team. At the other end, UNLV's top threats, Keshon Gilbert and E.J. Harkless, have managed just seven total points on 2-of-11 shooting.
Gilbert in particular is struggling to find his rhythm. The sophomore point guard has one point on 0-of-3 shooting and has committed an uncharacteristic five turnovers.
If UNLV can take care of the ball in the second half and San Diego State starts missing some 3's, the Scarlet and Gray might have a shot at a comeback. But it's going to be a steep uphill climb.
San Diego State opens 39-30 lead over UNLV
UNLV is trying to hang on despite its offense sputtering to a halt. With 3:28 left in the first half, San Diego State has opened a 39-30 lead.
The Aztecs used a 17-4 run to gain control of this one. UNLV simply hasn't been able to run its offense, with eight turnovers on 26 possessions. And the team's two leading scorers have struggled from the field, as E.J. Harkless missed his first five shots and Keshon Gilbert is still looking for his first make.
San Diego State has had no such issues. Starting guards Matt Bradley and Darrion Trammell have already combined for 17 points while making 5-of-8 from 3-point range.
UNLV takes early lead over San Diego State
The Scarlet and Gray aren't messing around in the first half like they did on Wednesday. With 11:56 remaining in the half, UNLV has a 17-12 lead over San Diego State.
UNLV trailed, 10-6, before using an 11-0 run to surge ahead. Luis Rodriguez and Justin Webster punctuated the hot streak by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers, which brought the home crowd to life.
Rebounding was a big story coming into this matchup, especially after UNLV got drilled on the boards in their loss to San Jose State a few days ago. But they've more than held their own so far, pulling down four defensive rebounds while limiting SDSU to one offensive board. David Muoka is leading the way on the interior with four points and three rebounds. Backup center Victor Iwuakor also has three rebounds in three minutes off the bench.
UNLV basketball wants to rebound against San Diego State after loss
For one 30-minute stretch during Friday’s practice, the UNLV basketball team missed every single shot it attempted.
It wasn’t due to a lack of accuracy, though.
In an effort to shore up the squad’s rebounding woes, head coach Kevin Kruger put a lid on the rim — literally. With every shot guaranteed to careen off a plastic fixture that covered the basket, the players had no choice but to battle for positioning and secure the carom on every play.
That’s how much emphasis Kruger is putting on rebounding as UNLV prepares to face San Diego State on Saturday (1 p.m., CBS).
“If we want to win games, we’re going to have to rebound it,” Kruger said. “We’re an elite halfcourt defensive team, we’re just not finishing it with rebounds. If we can finish them with rebounds and finish possessions, then I think we can take a huge step.”
The Scarlet and Gray failed in that regard on Wednesday, when they were outworked on the glass in a 75-72 upset loss at San Jose State. UNLV grabbed just 11 defensive rebounds in the first half while allowing the Spartans to get seven offensive rebounds during that span. It was a big reason why UNLV found itself in a 41-30 deficit at halftime.
For the game, San Jose State finished with 16 offensive rebounds and 12 second-chance points.
If UNLV puts forth that kind of rebounding performance against San Diego State on Saturday, Kruger knows his team doesn’t stand much of a chance of winning.
“That’s the biggest question mark going in is if we’re going to be able to not only match their physicality when the shot goes up, but even be the aggressor and be more physical than them,” Kruger said. “Because that’s what they’re elite at, and they’ve been elite at it for 20 years.”
Rebounding has been a recurring sore spot for the Scarlet and Gray this season, even as they raced out to a 10-0 start before dropping two of their last three games. UNLV collects just 68.1% of all available defensive rebounds, which ranks them No. 317 in the nation.
Part of that is due to scheme. Kruger’s high-pressure perimeter defense features four guards and wings on the court most of the time and just a single big man, so opposing teams usually enjoy a size advantage.
Starting center David Muoka averages 5.5 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game, while backup Victor Iwuakor pulls down 4.3 boards in 16.5 minutes.
UNLV’s leading rebounder is actually 6-foot-6 senior wing Luis Rodriguez, who averages 5.9 per game.
Fixing the issue is not as simple as adding more bigs to the lineup, however. Kruger said that would be magical thinking.
“Everybody’s opinion is just play the five tallest people you have, and all of a sudden that solves all your rebounding problems. But anybody that watches any basketball at all knows that’s not the solution, necessarily. Rebounding has nothing to do with size, it has nothing to do with height. It’s about having an emphasis and a focus that at the end of the possession you’re going to get the rebound.”
Muoka said that matching the San Diego State’s physicality on missed shots is likely to determine the winner on Saturday.
“Obviously that’s something I have to take onto myself,” Muoka said. “I have to take responsibility for that. But as a team, as a collective, all five guys being physical, boxing out and then hunting the rebound.”
Who: UNLV (11-2, 0-1 MWC) vs. San Diego State (10-3, 1-0 MWC)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Thomas & Mack Center
TV: CBS
UNLV leaders
Scoring: E.J. Harkless — 15.8 points
Rebounding: Luis Rodriguez — 5.9 rebounds
Assists: Keshon Gilbert — 3.8 assists
San Diego State leaders
Scoring: Matt Bradley — 12.2 points
Rebounding: Nathan Mensah — 6.0 rebounds
Assists: Darrion Trammell — 3.8 assists
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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