Recap: UNLV Runnin Rebels vs Wyoming
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Runnin’ Rebels (8-9, 3-1) | Wyoming Cowboys (11-6, 3-2)
UNLV escaped Lamarie with a close 78-69 overtime victory over Wyoming.
Sophomore guard Bryce Hamilton led the Runnin’ Rebels with a team-high 19 points, while also grabbing five rebounds. He shot 6-12 (50%) from the field and 2-4 (50%) from behind the arc. Hamilton has been finding his groove when it comes to scoring ever since the start of conference play.
Junior guard Jonah Antonio had his best game since returning from his left-hand injury with 15 points, all from three-pointers. Sophomore guard Marvin Coleman scored 14 points and also recorded five rebounds. He only shot 2-4 (50%) from the field but was 8-10 (80%) from the free-throw line. Junior forward Donnie Tillman also contributed 10 points along with seven rebounds. He only shot 2-7 (28%) from the field but was 6-7 (85%) from the charity stripe.
The Cowboys had three players score in double figures. Freshman guard Kwane Marble led the way with 19 points. Senior guard Jake Hendricks scored 18 points and recorded five steals. Redshirt sophomore guard Hunter Maldonaldo also contributed 16 points, along with eight rebounds and seven assists.
UNLV started the game the same way they ended the last game against Boise State, struggling to knock down any shots and put the ball in the basket. As a whole, they shot a combined 21.7% (5-23) in the first half.
The Runnin Rebels came out of the halftime looking like a completely different team as they shot an improved 50% (14-28) from the field for the second half. Their improved shooting along with Wyoming’s shooting struggles, especially late in the second half led to the Runnin’ Rebels’ ability to come back and send the game into overtime.
The Cowboys finished the second half with only one made field goal in the last five minutes. They also missed five consecutive free throws that could have secured the win for them.
When the game entered overtime, it was all UNLV. They jumped into an early lead thanks to Coleman and Antonio making a combined three three-pointers, they were also responsible for all 15 of their points in the overtime period.
Perhaps it was momentum, or perhaps it was the Runnin’ Rebels’ experience with overtime games from earlier in the season, but they found a way to get the conference victory on the road. They are now 2-3 in games ending in overtime.
“To grind this one out in overtime, we have been battle-tested,” said Coleman. “But to get this one is big.”
It was a very sloppy game as many fouls were called. By the end of the game, there was a total of 71 free throw attempts between both teams. UNLV dominantly won the rebounding battle 52-28. Offensive rebounds were also key in scoring 18 second-chance points.
Senior guard and team co-captain Elijah Mitrou-Long missed his ninth straight game due to a broken left thumb, there is still no timetable for his return.
Runnin’ Rebels head coach TJ Otzleberger, in his first season, now has the team at 4-1 in conference play. “To win on the road is tough, I don’t care who you play,” said Otzelberger. “Our guys found a way to step up at key moments to get the win.”
After splitting this road trip, UNLV men’s basketball returns to Las Vegas for two straight home games against San Jose State and New Mexico. They will then travel up north to face off against arch-rival UNR, before coming back home to play against currently 7th ranked and undefeated San Diego State.
Their next game will be on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 8 pm against San Jose State. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100 AM.
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Isaiah Torres
Twitter: Isaiah_Torres24
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