The UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team suffered another narrow defeat, falling 71-65 against the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Wolf Pack yesterday. Despite a strong fight and a 14-4 run that trimmed a 12-point deficit to just two points, UNLV couldn't close the deal at the Lawlor Events Center, as noted by the Review-Journal.
In what has become a distressing trend for the Rebel faithful, the team's stumbling in the waning moments of recent contests continues. With the game tied at 65, UNLV went without any points in the final stretch, and UNR capitalized with a game-sealing 6-0 run. The Rebels now add a fourth successive loss to their record by a combined margin of 15 points. "we’re right there, and we’ve got an opportunity and we’ve just got to believe that it’s going pay off and be good for us in close games going forward," UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger reflected in a postgame radio interview, as recounted by the Review-Journal.
Top contributors for UNLV included Jaden Henley with 14 points, while both Bear Cherry and Dedan Thomas Jr. chipped in with 12 points apiece. On the UNR side, balance was the name of the game as Nick Davidson led with 14 points followed by three teammates who also reached double figures. The official UNLV athletics website highlighted the significant stat of the game, with UNLV committing 15 turnovers translating into 17 points for the Wolf Pack, a decisive factor in the tight contest according to UNLV's news release.
It was a historic matchup, marking the 100th faceoff between the two rivals, with UNLV leading the series 64-36. However, it was UNR's day as they captured their third straight win against the Runnin' Rebels dating back to last season. Despite UNLV's efforts, which resulted in leading the rebound count and a gritty defensive performance that included holding UNR to just 21.1% on three-pointers, as noted by the UNLV athletics website, consistency in scoring remains elusive. The Runnin' Rebels will look to recalibrate as they return to Las Vegas to confront Boise State on Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
In the follow-up to this tough road loss, the Rebels must now focus on the challenges ahead, knowing full well the intensity will not let up. "We've got to just take a breath and get ready to work. It doesn’t get easier," Kruger remarked, understanding the uphill battle his team faces as they scrap to turnaround this string of heartbreakers and find a winning edge, as explained in a statement obtained by the Review-Journal.
