Video Credit: Kansas State Athletics

FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Kansas State Game 5

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UNLV (1-4) vs. Kansas State (2-2)

 

The Runnin’ Rebels get their first win of the season at Kansas State.

 

 

UNLV ended their 4 game losing streak after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 68-55 on Friday night in Manhattan, Kansas. The Runnin’ Rebels took advantage of Kansas State’s weak offense holding their opponent to under 75 points for the first time this season. Offensively, they shot lights out. UNLV now moves to 1-4 on the season while Kansas State falls to an even 2-2.

 

Excellent shooting, led by a trio of Runnin’ Rebels players, is too much for Kansas State.

 

UNLV vs Kansas State
Photo Credit: UNLV Athletics/Russell Luna

As mentioned in the preview, in a game that’s as evenly matched as this one. Getting off to a hot start would be important. UNLV got off to a strong offensive start behind Bryce Hamilton. The Runnin’ Rebels started on a 7-0 run and were up 17-10 halfway through the first half. Bryce Hamilton hit his first 4 shots that he attempted in the game. Kansas State eventually tied the game up at 20 points apiece, and it was a back forth first half. UNLV carried a 31-30 lead into halftime.

The second half started with excellent 3-point shooting from the Runnin’ Rebels. Caleb Grill started the half off with a made 3, that was then followed by back to back 3 pointers from David Jenkins Jr. About 5 minutes into the second half, UNLV went on a 9-2 run that forced the Wildcats to call a timeout. The trio of Bryce Hamilton, David Jenkins Jr, and Caleb Grill started to take over for UNLV as they stretched the lead to 52-41 with 10 minutes to go. The Wildcats would not go away. Kansas State went on a 12-4 run to get within 3 of UNLV with 5:55 to go. David Jenkins Jr. was electric from beyond the arc, splashing back to back 3 pointers leading UNLV to a 9 point lead with 2 minutes remaining. UNLV held on to win by a score of 68-55.

 

 

UNLV will look to build off this first victory.

 

UNLV vs Kansas State
Photo Credit: UNLV Athletics/Russell Luna

It was a breakout game for David Jenkins Jr., the transfer from South Dakota State. He had a game high 23 points on 8-16 shooting. He hit 7 three-pointers and hit the in times that UNLV needed them most. Bryce Hamilton continued to do his thing scoring 18 points to go with 8 rebounds. Caleb Grill also chipped in with 12 points of his own.

The trio of Jenkins Jr., Hamilton, and Grill combined for 53 of UNLV’s 68 points. UNLV shot lights out as a team shooting 51 percent from the field compared to Kansas State’s 35 percent. UNLV was also 12-27 on 3 pointers shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc. Mike McGuirl led the scoring for the Wildcats with 14 points. Kansas State’s offense has been spread out all season, and their bench outscored UNLV’s bench 17 to 5.

The Runnin’ Rebels will now come home and get ready to play Eastern Washington. It will be the 2nd home game of the season for UNLV as they dropped the season opener at the Thomas and Mack against Montana State.

Eastern Washington comes into the game with a record of 0-2 following losses at Washington State and Arizona. They have had one game postponed and one game canceled as well. They will be looking for their first win while the Runnin’ Rebels look to build off a nice win at Kansas State. UNLV was the better team in the matchup with the Wildcats on Friday night and deserved the win based on the shooting clinic they put on behind Hamilton and Jenkins Jr.

 

Game Notes: 
  • The game was played in front of a small crowd as K-State allowed fans at 15 percent of its arena’s capacity.
  • It marked UNLV’s first win in a true road game against a Big 12 opponent since defeating Texas Tech (74-66) in Lubbock on Dec. 28, 2006.
  • Hamilton has scored in double figures in 24 straight games.
  • Jenkins Jr. has now scored in double figures in three straight contests after starting the season with 11 total points in his first two games.
  • UNLV was 12 of 27 from 3-point range (44.4%), and it marked the Runnin’ Rebels’ fourth game of the season with 10 or more 3-pointers made.
  • Jenkins Jr. is UNLV’s second player with seven 3-pointers in a game this season. Grill also made seven vs. Alabama on Tuesday in Asheville, North Carolina, at the Maui Invitational.
  • UNLV held Kansas State to just 36.1% on field goals and 29.2% on 3-pointers.
  • The Runnin’ Rebels led in fast-break points, 11-2.
  • UNLV held a one-point halftime lead (31-30). It was its first lead at the break this season.
  • It was UNLV’s eighth all-time meeting with Kansas State and its first in Manhattan since 1982. The Runnin’ Rebels improved to 5-3 all-time vs. the Wildcats.
  • UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in an NCAA-record 1,107 straight games.

 

UNLV will return home to host Eastern Washington on Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. Broadcast details will be announced when finalized.

UNLV vs Kansas State            UNLV vs Kansas State            UNLV vs Kansas State            UNLV vs Kansas State            UNLV vs Kansas State            UNLV vs Kansas State              UNLV vs Kansas State            UNLV vs Kansas State                 

-Jarret Thompson – Franchise Sports Media

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