Blog: UNLV doesn’t make necessary plays late in 2-point loss to UCLA

By Taylor Bern

Published Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 | 7:30 p.m.

Updated Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 | 10:50 p.m.

UCLA 77, UNLV 75

Game over

UNLV went nearly five minutes without scoring down the stretch and they couldn't overcome a struggling offense against UCLA, losing 77-75 in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. The Rebels (3-1) will face Division II tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Las Vegas time.

UNLV played really good for nearly half the game, but it was so bad the rest of the time that the bad outweighed the good. UNLV took a 65-64 lead with 6:02 remaining and then went quiet due largely to failing to move the ball on offense and then free throws were again a late-game issue.

Pat McCaw struggled shooting overall but made a lot of good plays at both ends while getting 20 points and Stephen Zimmerman Jr. was really good with another double-double after receiving an IV pregame to help with a stomach virus. Bryce Alford scored 20 points for UCLA, as did big man Thomas Welsh, who killed UNLV with baseline jumpers.

UCLA shot 23-of-24 at the free-throw line while UNLV was 14-of-22. Overall the teams shot nearly identical from the floor at about 44 percent.

Check lasvegassun.com later tonight for a full report from the Rebels' defeat.

There’s already one thing in common between last year’s Thanksgiving tournament and this year’s version for UNLV — a team illness — and they’re hoping tonight’s game doesn’t produce a similar result as that 29-point loss to Stanford in New York.

A flu bug has affected a few members of UNLV’s traveling party since Friday, and that includes freshmen Stephen Zimmerman Jr. and Austin Starr and sophomore Dwayne Morgan. Last year it was Rashad Vaughn feeling under the weather.

Healthy or not, an illness will feel like a hollow excuse if the Rebels don’t at least have a strong performance tonight against UCLA and former foe Steve Alford. The game tips at 8:30 p.m. Las Vegas time on ESPN2.

The Bruins (2-1) have struggled early in the year but they have a lot of experienced players, including post man Tony Parker. Listed at 6-foot-9 and 260 pounds, the senior’s matchup against UNLV’s front line could be the most important battle of the game.

Either that or junior point guard Bryce Alford vs. UNLV’s press. The Rebels don’t want to give Alford any room to operate tonight, and how well they can accomplish getting the ball out of his hands will go a long way in determining the outcome.

This is the first big test for the Rebels (3-0) this season, and it’s even bigger because it would set up another quality game Tuesday against No. 5 Kansas. UNLV is in this tournament to play the big boys, not Division II Chaminade, and its fate is in its own, possibly flu-riddled, hands.

Prediction: I think UCLA is going to be a good team by March, but I’m not sure what they are right now. Looking for the Rebels to capitalize. UNLV 77, UCLA 74

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