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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher/Writer
Every time a Fresno State player made a long three-point shot beyond the arc UNLV fans threw their arms into the air in despair.
UNLV watched its three-game winning streak drain away Friday night when Fresno State came to Thomas & Mack Center and defeated the Runnin’ Rebels, 82-79, thanks to some hot shot-making from beyond the three-point arc.
“We just couldn’t get a rhythm going defensively,” UNLV coach Kevin Kruger lamented after the loss.
It was not the loud crowd of last week when UNLV defeated Reno. But it was still an enthusiastic crowd for a Friday night in Las Vegas. UNLV said the crowd attendance was 5,762.
The best part of the night for UNLV was a student winning free tuition. Midway through the second half, UNLV President Keith Whitfield and UNLV Athletic Director Erick Harper walked along a T-shirt cannon that shot a shirt with the free-tuition prize into the student section.
This lucky fella won the prize valued at $5,000.
UNLV led Fresno at the half, 43-37.
But the Bulldogs outscored the Rebs, 45-36, in the second half and that meant UNLV fell to 4-7 in the Mountain West Conference and a 15-8 overall record.
Two Fresno players scored more than half of the winning team’s points. Jemari Baker, Jr. scored 23 points thanks to sinking four of five three-balls, while Isiah Hill added 22, which included converting four of six shots from three-point land.
Elijah Harkless scored 27 points to lead the Rebs.