Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

UNLV basketball:

Carlos Lopez will be reevaluated for a sprained ankle

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boise State’s Derrick Marks dunks in front of UNLV’s Quintrell Thomas during the first half of their game on Jan. 25, 2012, in Boise, Idaho.

Click to enlarge photo

UNLV's Carlos Lopez (11) drives past Boise State's Kenny Buckner (42) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Matt Cilley)

BOISE, Idaho — UNLV forward Carlos Lopez left Wednesday night’s 77-72 overtime victory against Boise State midway through the second half after rolling his right ankle.

Lopez had to be helped off the court and after briefly being looked at on the bench, he returned to the locker room and didn’t return for the rest of the game.

UNLV trainer Dave Tomchek said that Lopez suffered a sprain and will be reevaluated Thursday morning.

After the game, Lopez was walking under his own power without ice on the ankle.

In eight minutes on Wednesday, Lopez recorded one point, one rebound and two steals. Against New Mexico on Saturday, he scored a season-high 14 points.

Tight rotation

In the second half and overtime against the Broncos, Rebels outside of the regular rotation — the five starters plus Lopez and junior guard Justin Hawkins — played a combined seven minutes.

Quintrell Thomas played three minutes in the second half, Kendall Wallace played four minutes over the second half and overtime and Reggie Smith didn’t get off the bench.

Coach Dave Rice said on Monday that he hasn’t lost any confidence in Smith. However, while junior guard Anthony Marshall was dealing with foul trouble and an injury and senior guard Oscar Bellfield was on his way to 39 minutes, Rice never looked to Smith despite his decent play (he hit a 3-pointer) in four minutes.

Wallace confident

Wallace’s game at Boise State certainly wasn’t a breakout performance, but it served as further proof that he hasn’t lost any confidence in his play.

He played just three minutes in each half and one more in overtime, but during his time on the court in the second half he drilled a 3-pointer during UNLV’s 11-0 run.

It was just his third made basket since Dec. 23, but Wallace celebrated like Chace Stanback did during his 21-for-29 stretch behind the three-point line.

Rice has said that any time Wallace’s feet are set, he believes that it’s going in. Wallace does too, so as long as he’s still on the court he’ll keep firing.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

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