Keshon Gilbert scores 23 to lead UNLV past Incarnate Word

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 | 5:51 p.m.

On UNLV’s second possession of Saturday’s game against Incarnate Word, sophomore guard Keshon Gilbert received a pass on the wing. Finding himself wide open, he did not hesitate in taking — and making — a 3-pointer to get the Scarlet and Gray on the board.

Gilbert proceeded to hit three more from long distance over the course of the game, pumping in a career-high 23 points to lead UNLV to an 88-63 victory.

UNLV opened the contest with an 8-0 run, and ripped off an accompanying 11-0 spurt to start the second half. In the minutes surrounding those two stretches, Kevin Kruger’s squad did what it had to do to keep the game as uninteresting as possible.

They forced 25 turnovers, held Incarnate Word to 41.9% from the field and only sent the Cardinals to the free-throw line for three attempts. With Gilbert spearheading the offensive attack, UNLV held a double-digit lead for the final 28 minutes.

UNLV is now 2-0 on the young season, with impressive wins over two patsy opponents. The Scarlet and Gray will face their first real test on Tuesday, when they welcome No. 24 Dayton to the Thomas & Mack Center.

It was the second straight game Gilbert has paced UNLV in scoring after he tallied 13 in a season-opening win over Southern on Monday. The four 3-pointers increased his season total to five, which nearly matches his freshman total of seven (7-of-25).

After making his name as a tough-nosed defender last year, Gilbert said he dedicated himself to improving his jump shot in the offseason in order to round out his arsenal.

“I think it’s come a long way,” Gilbert said after making 4-of-5 from beyond the arc against Incarnate Word. “Just hours in the gym, the whole summer, it brought me to this point.”

In addition to his outside shooting, Gilbert also sliced his way inside the defense, consistently using dribble-drives to collapse Incarnate Word.

He earned eight free throws and made seven in his 22 minutes.

Kruger thinks that as opponents begin to respect Gilbert’s outside shot, his off-the-dribble game will flourish.

“With his ability to get in the paint and get by people, I think that’s just going to open up a whole new world for him,” Kruger said. “People having to go out there and guard him and not being able to close out short to him is going to open up a new game for him.”

Senior forward Luis Rodriguez turned in a fine all-around performance, posting 10 points, six rebounds, six steals and five assists, and sophomore guard Jackie Johnson once again provided a spark off the bench with 13 points in 19 minutes.

Gilbert’s scoring has been a boost early in the season, and UNLV could certainly use another efficient outing from him against Dayton in two days. But Gilbert said he’s not focusing on putting the ball in the basket, but rather on making the right play.

“I’m just being a lot more aggressive, getting in the paint and trying to make things happen,” Gilbert said. “I’m not necessarily looking to score, I’m just trying to get in the paint. If I’ve got to kick it, I’ll kick it, but if it’s open I’ll take it.”

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