UNLV Rebels guard Bryce Hamilton (13) goes for a lay up past Air Force Falcons guard Jake Heidbreder (3) during a game at the Thomas & Mack Center Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022.
Published Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 | 4:16 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 | 8:45 p.m.
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UNLV turned in a complete performance tonight, downing an overmatched Air Force squad, 78-44.
Despite playing without two injured starters, UNLV smothered AFA on defense, holding the Falcons to 30.4% shooting on the night. Air Force made just six field goals in the entire second half (6-of-24).
Bryce Hamilton took care of the other end of the floor, scoring a sleek 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting. He probably could have gone over 30 points for the fifth time in seven games, but he exited with seven minutes left and UNLV up by 25 points. Centers Royce Hamm and David Muoka scored 12 points apiece, and point guard Jordan McCabe dished out 10 assists.
UNLV will try to keep the defensive mojo going when they travel to face Mountain West contender Boise State on Friday.
UNLV blowing out Air Force
This one is over. UNLV opened the second half on a 7-0 run and has pushed its lead over Air Force to 48-30 with 14:15 remaining.
Jordan McCabe just made the play of the game by driving and dishing a no-look pass to Royce Hamm for a dunk. Hamm now has 10 points and 14 rebounds, while McCabe has six assists. Bryce Hamilton is leading the way with 18 points.
UNLV continues to clamp down on defense. Air Force did not score in the first five minutes of the half, and the Falcons are shooting 31.0% for the game (9-of-31).
Kevin Kruger said UNLV would defend Air Force the second time around, and he was right.
UNLV opens 39-25 halftime lead over Air Force
UNLV used a 15-2 run late in the half to create separation, and the Scarlet and Gray have taken a 39-25 lead into halftime.
Bryce Hamilton is leading the way with and efficient 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Royce Hamm has eight points and six rebounds. As a team, UNLV has made 6-of-10 from 3-point range.
Air Force has struggled to find open looks against the UNLV defense. Kevin Kruger has gone small for the entire game, with one big man surrounded by four guards, and it has worked; AFA is shooting just 36.4% (8-of-22 FGs).
If UNLV can maintain its defensive intensity coming out of the locker room, they could put this one away early.
UNLV trails Air Force in opening minutes
It's been a sloppy start for UNLV with turnovers on each of the last three offensive possessions, and Air Force has nudged ahead, 13-9 with 11:34 remaining in the first half.
As expected, both Donovan Williams and Victor Iwuakor are out tonight due to injury. Kevin Kruger opted to go small without them, with freshman Keshon Gilbert getting his second career start and Mike Nuga also starting in the backcourt, with Royce Hamm serving as the only big man in the starting five.
Bryce Hamilton hit an early 3-pointer and just added a pair of free throws to give him a team-high five points.
Banged-up UNLV hosts Air Force
UNLV will go for a split of the season series with Air Force today when the Falcons visit the Thomas & Mack Center (7 p.m., Mountain West Network).
A look at three keys for UNLV:
Defending Air Force
In the first meeting between these teams, in Colorado Springs on Jan. 20, the Falcons sliced and diced the UNLV defense to the tune of 69 points on 64 possessions. Air Force shot 50% from the field and moved the ball well, recording assists on 16 of 23 field goals.
The Falcons are rated No. 343 (out of 358 Division I teams) in KenPom’s adjusted tempo, making them one of the slowest, most deliberate attacks in the country. UNLV struggled to maintain its focus on defense for entire possessions, and Air Force took advantage, working the shot clock to the final seconds before generating quality shots.
Kevin Kruger believes his squad is more prepared to defend the AFA offense this time around.
“If you don’t play against that style, it’s unique,” Kruger said. “There’s going to be a lot of 30-second possessions defensively. Now that we’ve seen it live, I think the guys have understood it better the last couple days.”
Injury issues
UNLV may be without two of its most impactful defenders, as junior wing Donovan Williams and junior forward Victor Iwuakor were both limited participants in Monday’s practice.
Williams missed the Scarlet and Gray’s most recent game due to a lingering knee injury, while Iwuakor started against Utah State on Saturday but lasted just five minutes before exiting.
Kruger gave no status updates for either player; both are probably game-time decisions.
Another 30 for Hamilton?
Bryce Hamilton has been on fire recently, scoring at least 30 points in four of UNLV’s last six games — a streak that began against Air Force three weeks ago.
Assuming Air Force sticks to its zone defense, it will be up to Hamilton to get UNLV’s offense going by penetrating and getting into the lane. From there, the senior guard can either look for his own shot or kick out to his teammates for open jumpers, but either way, the ball is going to be in Hamilton’s hands for most of the night.
Can he crank out another 30-point performance? With a shorthanded roster, UNLV might need it.
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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