FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Utah State - Game 13

Photo Credit: Daily Advent

FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Utah State – Game 13

UNLV (6-7) vs. Utah State (13-5)

The Runnin’ Rebels fall just short to the Utah State Aggies.

UNLV, following a victory over Utah State on Monday, were looking to win their 6^th straight game and 2^nd straight against the Aggies. However, they were not able to do that as Rollie Worster and company were too much for the Runnin’ Rebels to handle as Utah State won 83-74. Thus ending UNLV’s 5 game win streak dropping them to 6-7 on the season and 3-3 against conference opponents. Utah State ends their two game losing streak and improve to 13-5 on the season and 10-2 against other Mountain West teams.

Despite having a better offensive performance today than in the win in the first game on Monday, UNLV didn’t have enough last night to be victorious.

UNLV vs Benedictine — *Photo Credit: UNLV Basketball*

In the game on Monday, both UNLV and Utah State both struggled shooting the ball. On Wednesday night, the story was a lot different with both teams improving mightily.

David Jenkins Jr. led all players with an impressive 33 points keeping the Runnin’ Rebels in the game. His play, at many times kept the Aggies from running away with the game. He was 5-7 from deep and he has proven many times this season that when he is hitting the three-pointers at a very consistent rate, that is when he is at his best.

Moses Wood had the game winning block in the victory on Monday and continued his good play adding 11 points last night. The big story for UNLV was the disappointing game from Bryce Hamilton. He shot 1-12 and was 0-5 from beyond the arc. It was his worst game of the season. The Runnin’ Rebels scoring 74 points despite only getting only two points from the player that has been their best player all season is pretty impressive.

Utah State had a much better game last night, especially on the offensive side as well. The shot exactly 50% from the field and 52% from the three-point land. Both those stats drastically improving from the first matchup. Rollie Worster led the way nearly scoring a triple double for the Aggies. He finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. He also added 3 steals on the defensive side as he was doing everything for his team. In the matchup on Monday, Utah State only had two players in double digit scoring. On Wednesday night, they had a total of five players, all five of their starters. Brock Miller contributed 15 points while Marco Anthony had 12 as both hit three three-pointers. Justin Bean and Neemias Queta each added 13 points of their own.

UNLV concluded a successful homestand with a loss and will now hit the road.

UNLV were able to split with Utah State in the two games played at the Thomas and Mack. Utah State remains second in the standings behind Boise State. UNLV sits 7^th in the Mountain West standings as they are set to hit the road. They won’t have to travel too far as they will be playing their in-state rivals, Nevada in a quick two game series. The Wolfpack sit at 10-7 on the season and two spots ahead of the Runnin’ Rebels in the standings.

UNLV follows the two games with Nevada by coming back home to host Air Force who are towards the bottom of the standings. These next few games are a chance for UNLV to start to separate themselves from the other average teams in the Mountain West and start to compete with the teams at the top.