UNLV vs SMU
Photo Credit: Tony Gonzalez/AP

FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs SMU – Game 8

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UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (4-4)  |  SMU Mustangs (6-3)

 

The Runnin’ Rebels lost at SMU 83-64 Wednesday night at Moody Coliseum in its first road game of the season.

 

UNLV vs SMU
Photo Credit: Tony Gonzalez/AP

SMU’s Kendric Davis had 18 points and eight assists, and Michael Weathers posted 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists as SMU topped UNLV 83-64 on Wednesday night. Emmanuel Bandoumel had 13 points for SMU, which earned its sixth consecutive home victory. Tristan Clark added 10 points.

Royce Hamm Jr. had 13 points and ten rebounds for the Runnin’ Rebels. For Hamm Jr., it was his second career double-double. Bryce Hamilton added 12 points, and Justin Webster also contributed 12 points.

“We just didn’t seem to be on the same page and we weren’t as sharp as we have been. A big focal point of this game was to get out early and get a good start. They have a lot of very good, talented players and are a very good team, but we didn’t do ourselves any favors by letting them get some confidence going early.” UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger said after the game.

“We were taking shots out of rhythm and it is not just the person taking the shot, but you have four teammates out there that when it is not within the flow of what they are used to, it surprises them. I think that cost us – our transition defense wasn’t good tonight and a lot of the reason for that is when you take an unexpected shot, it doesn’t just hurt that possession, it carries over to the defense with matchups and spacing and getting set, and costs you not only points on that end, but points on the other end as well.”

 

One of the critical moments of the game happened early in the first half and is a teaching moment for Bruce Hamilton and the Runnin’ Rebels. 

UNLV vs SMU
Photo Credit: Tony Gonzalez/AP

Bryce Hamilton was subbed out early in the game and only logged 20 minutes against SMU. He finished with 12 points. So far, UNLV’s leading scorer is shooting just under 39% on the season.

“There’s no ill will there. It’s something that, going forward, we’ve talked to a couple of the guys about what we want offensive possessions to look like. He (Hamilton) understood it and was good about it. We knew there was going to be some growing pains to it, but we’re going to start taking better looks.” Kruger said. “We want Bryce to be aggressive. We want him to shoot for us. But I think it’s on us as a staff to make sure his looks are better and they’re more within the rhythm of the offense and what other guys expect.”

“Coaches may say something about it every now and then, but that’s something we should probably be more aware of and try to get to the free-throw line,” Hamilton said after the game.

“You’ve got four teammates out there that if it’s not within the flow of what they’re used to, it surprises them,” Kruger said. “When you take an unexpected shot, it doesn’t just hurt that possession. It carries over to defense with matchups and spacing. And getting set.”

 

Don’t forget to go out and support the Runnin’ Rebels! Click here to get your UNLV Runnin’ Rebels tickets! 

 

UNLV will close out its two-game road trip this Saturday, Dec. 4th, against San Francisco in the Bay Area.

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-Joe Arrigo – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeArrigoFSM

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