UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Score Upset Over Ranked No. 22 Utah State, 65-62, With Attendance Announced At 4,659 Wednesday
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Just when you thought the UNLV men’s basketball team may have lost the season with two blowout losses in Boise State and Colorado State, the Runnin’ Rebels pulled you back in Wednesday with a win against 22nd-ranked Utah State at Thomas & Mack Center.
The Rebs lost by 22 points in each of the recent road games, looking non-competitive against those two Mountain West Conference foes.
But UNLV is back on the MWC radar with a 65-62 win over a Utah State team that had come to Las Vegas winners of 16 of its 17 games this season. Utah State is now 6-1 in the conference (along with New Mexico) and UNLV is 4-2, only a game and a half back, even with those two big losses on the road.
There were many open seats in the arena’s bottom bowl as UNLV said attendance was 4,659.
“It’s a good feeling right now,” UNLV coach Kevin Kruger said after the Runnin’ Rebels scored the game’s final seven points.
Those fans who came to the UNLV campus to see the men’s team watched the Runnin’ Rebels score a win against a team that has recently dominated them with ten wins in their last 12 games against UNLV.
Proud of them, happy for them. Unbelievable fight. To get up off the mat after last week was a great thing to see, but as we know in this conference, the next one is tough no matter where it is, who it is. Felt like our defense was the focal point tonight and it led to a lot of good offensive possessions. When we do that, we have pretty good days. When we watch the film, I think we are going to be incredibly proud of how much they fought, how locked in they were and how much they played for each other, which you have to do if you are going to beat an unbelievably good team like Utah State. — Coach Kevin Kruger
UNLV’s Jalen Hill scored 15, with Julian Rishwain chipping in 13 and Jailen Bedford adding ten off the bench. Dedan Thomas, Jr. scored eight on four for 14 shooting. But UNLV hustled, snagging 14 offensive rebounds to Utah State’s 11 offensive rebounds.
UNLV is 10-7 on the season.
The Runnin’ Rebels have some terrific ticket deals. Consider the three-game Runnin’ Rebel mini-plans that include your choice of any three games at the Thomas & Mack Center starting at $36 per plan.
The Lady Rebels easily defeated Air Force Wednesday. The women’s team also has a great deal with $3 tickets for a Jan. 19 game against Wyoming. That game is 1 PM at Cox Pavilion.
