Game day: UNLV falls at UNR; MWC tourney up next

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 2 a.m.

Updated Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 9:47 p.m.

UNLV's regular season ends with a 75-65 loss at UNR, and now Kevin Kruger's squad will return home to prepare for the Mountain West tournament.

UNLV went on a 13-2 run to take a 48-47 lead with 12 minutes left, but they might have expended too much energy making up ground. UNR immediately countered with an 11-2 run of its own to regain a 58-50 advantage, and the Scarlet and Gray were unable to mount another rally over the final seven minutes.

Interior play was rough for UNLV; the team's usually reliable big men struggled to finish around the rim, as UNLV converted just 10 of their 21 layup/dunk attempts.

Keylan Boone scored 24 and D.J. Thomas went for 23 in the losing effort. UNR shot better than 50% in each half and Jarod Lucas led all scorers with 26 points.

The loss ends a five-game winning streak for UNLV, which concludes the regular season with a 19-11 record (12-6 Mountain West). They finish as the No. 4 seed and will face No. 5 San Diego State in the second round of the MWC tournament on Thursday afternoon. The Scarlet and Gray won their last meeting with SDSU on Tuesday; the winner of that game will advance to face No. 1 Utah State on Friday.

UNLV comes back to take 48-47 lead at UNR

What a stunning turnaround here, as UNLV just exploded for a 13-2 run to take the lead for the first time tonight. Keylan Boone was the catalyst, nailing three 3-pointers during the stretch, including a long one that put UNLV ahead, 48-47, and forced UNR to call timeout.

Boone now has 21 points on the night, including five 3-pointers.

Contributions have come from everywhere as UNLV continues its comeback effort. Shane Nowell has played some nice defense, and Jackie Johnson and Justin Webster have given strong minutes in the backcourt, as multiple UNLV players have been mired in foul trouble.

The defense has been better since the break as well, limiting UNR to 4-of-10 shooting and 0-of-2 from 3-point range.

UNLV and UNR have played some wild games in recent years, including their first matchup a few weeks ago, but this one could end up topping them all. 

UNLV trails UNR at half, 39-31

UNLV trails UNR at the half, 39-31, and Kevin Kruger has to feel fortunate his team is within single digits.

UNR scorched the nets for the first 20 minutes, shooting 54.2% while making five 3-pointers. The Wolf Pack also went 8-of-8 from the free throw line as UNLV racked up fouls; starters Luis Rodriguez, Keylan Boone and Kalib Boone all finished the half on the bench with two fouls apiece.

Given all that, the Scarlet and Gray hung in there. Seldom used wing Shane Nowell had a couple nice rebounds, including one that led to a pair of free throws (which he made), and Rob Whaley came alive in the final minutes, knocking down a couple post jumpers to keep his squad within striking distance.

Keylan Boone leads UNLV with 12 points, while D.J. Thomas has nine. Jarod Lucas leads all scorers with 15.

UNLV has been powered by its defense during its five-game winning streak, and that's going to be the key in the second half. If they get stops, they'll have a chance to pull off an epic road win.

UNR takes early lead over UNLV basketball

UNLV has stabilized after a rocky first few minutes, but UNR still holds a 19-12 lead with 11:46 left in the first half.

UNR enjoyed a hot shooting start, mainly powered by guard Jarod Lucas, who scored 10 points in the first four minutes. The Wolf Pack made three of their first five 3-point attempts to take a 12-3 lead, while UNLV committed a pair of turnovers that negated baskets.

D.J. Thomas has tried to get the offense on track by attacking the rim. The freshman scored an and-1 layup to make it 19-8, then drove, drew another foul and hit a pair of free throws to get within 19-10. After a defensive stop, Kalib Boone scored in the post to pull the visitors a little closer.

It appears UNLV has weathered the early storm and is now finding its footing. They'll have the ball after this timeout.

UNLV basketball tips off at UNR

Both teams got some bad news before tipoff, as Utah State held off New Mexico for a close win, giving the Aggies the outright Mountain West regular season championship.

Had Utah State lost that game, UNLV and UNR would have been playing for a share of the title tonight, but now they're simply playing for MWC tournament seeding and, of course, rivalry bragging rights.

The pregame atmosphere was charged inside Lawlor Events Center. UNR's student section was full an hour before tipoff, and Luis Rodriguez in particular drew their ire. The senior wing was critical in UNLV's win in Reno last year, as it was his steal and fast-break layup sequence that sent the game into overtime, where the Scarlet and Gray eventually prevailed. The fans rained jeers on him while attempting corner 3's, but Rodriguez took it with a smile.

From UNLV's perspective, this should be one of the most intense games of the season.

Rivalry resumed as UNLV faces off against UNR in season finale

The stakes are high as the UNLV basketball travels to take on UNR in Saturday’s season finale (7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network).

Both teams are scorching hot right now, riding winning streaks of five and six games, respectively, and a share of the conference championship could be on the line, making this edition of the in-state rivalry game even more intense.

Can the Scarlet and Gray pull off another impressive win to cap their astounding mid-season turnaround?

Three keys to watch:

Defense first

UNLV has won 10 of its last 11 games, and the driving force has been the defense. The Scarlet and Gray are up to 79^th in KenPom’s adjusted defense metric, and they seem to be getting better with each outing.

During the team’s current five-game winning streak — which includes victories over two Top 25 opponents — they have held teams to just 0.848 points per possession. That would be significantly better than the nation’s No. 1 defense (Houston, 0.863 PPP) if UNLV were able to sustain it over the course of the season. Over the course of the last 11 games, UNLV is allowing 0.923 PPP, which would rank fourth.

One of the few times UNLV has faltered on that end of the court was in the first matchup against UNR. In that Feb. 17 matchup, the Wolf Pack scored 1.07 points per possession and won, 69-66. That’s the highest PPP UNLV has allowed during its hot streak, and one of only two teams to go over one point per possession.

Can they get a better handle on UNR this time around? Senior wing Luis Rodriguez will have a lot to say about it. He has emerged as the team’s top perimeter defender, and he has a history of giving UNR guard Kenan Blackshear problems.

Rodriguez is looking forward to that matchup.

“I love it,” Rodriguez said. “He’s an important piece of what they’re doing, so if I can shut him down as much as possible, give us a chance to win, that’s what I plan to go there and do.”

D.J.’s day off

D.J. Thomas did not practice on Thursday due to a lingering ankle injury. Instead, the freshman point guard spent the session in a walking boot, riding an exercise bicycle on the sideline.

Kevin Kruger said it’s nothing to worry about, however, and Thomas is expected to play on Saturday against UNR.

“It’s good,” Kruger said. “More precautionary for everybody, at this point. You make it to March, and then it’s about being as healthy as possible for each game.”

Thomas initially injured the ankle on Nov. 21, when UNLV was in Florida for the Sunshine Slam. He has worn the boot intermittently since then, but has not missed a game.

Having Thomas on the ball will be crucial on Saturday. Not only is he UNLV’s top scorer and assist man, but he played one of his best games in the first meeting against UNR, putting up 19 points and eight assists. He did miss two crucial free throws in the final minute, so this could even give him a chance at redemption.

Standings watch

Saturday will be a big day for scoreboard watching, as UNLV and UNR could end up playing for a share of the conference title.

Utah State tips off against New Mexico earlier in the day, and a New Mexico win would drop USU to 13-5 in the Mountain West. UNLV and UNR are both 12-5, so the winner would tie for first place and would be deemed a co-champion.

If Utah State wins, then the pressure is off and UNLV can focus on its in-state rivalry game without any larger repercussions.

Who: UNLV (19-10, 12-5 MWC) at UNR (25-6, 12-5 MWC)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Lawlor Events Center (Reno)

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: 1100 AM, 100.9 FM

UNLV leaders

Scoring

D.J. Thomas: 13.2 points

Rebounds

Luis Rodriguez: 6.7 rebounds

Assists

D.J. Thomas: 5.3 assists

UNR leaders

Scoring

Jarod Lucas: 17.5 points

Rebounds

Nick Davidson: 7.3 rebounds

Assists

Kenan Blackshear: 4.7 assists

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.