Game day: UNLV gets hot, gets a win at San Jose State

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 | 2 a.m.

Updated Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 | 7:58 p.m.

Talk about shooting the lights out.

UNLV just caught fire like we haven't seen this season, shooting 80% in the second half to come back and knock off San Jose State, 77-65.

The Scarlet and Gray trailed by seven at the break, but made 16-of-20 from the field over the final 20 minutes. That included a 5-of-8 performance from 3-point range, as Jackie Johnson and Keylan Boone connected from deep to help UNLV blow past the Spartans.

Boone finished with a team-high 14 points, while Johnson tallied 12 off the bench.

UNLV is now 10-9 on the season and 3-4 in Mountain West play, with a home game against Fresno State set for Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Red-hot UNLV takes lead at San Jose State

This game has completely turned around, as UNLV now holds a 60-53 lead with 6:05 to play.

The Scarlet and Gray just ripped off a 20-8 run to take the lead, with Keylan Boone throwing down a two-handed dunk to give UNLV its biggest lead of the night.

Boone helped UNLV go ahead for the first time since early in the game, as he and Brooklyn Hicks nailed back-to-back 3-pointers with 10 minutes left to pull UNLV within 47-46. Jackie Johnson then drove the lane and converted a difficult finish to make it 48-47 in favor of the visitors.

UNLV is shooting better than 73% in the second half while holding SJSU to 6-of-19 from the field.

This would be a much needed win for UNLV; now they've just got to close it out.

UNLV staying close at San Jose State, down 45-40

The shorthanded Scarlet and Gray are hanging in there, closing within 45-40 with 11:50 remaining at San Jose State.

UNLV went more than seven minutes without a field goal, a drought that spanned halftime, but they have actually closed the gap by holding SJSU to 2-of-10 shooting in the second half.

Jackie Johnson has provided some good energy off the bench, scoring on a layup and forcing a turnover with pressure defense in the backcourt. Luis Rodriguez and Rob Whaley have also been able to find their way to the rim for close-range buckets.

Getting inside may be the key for the visitors. For the game, UNLV is 15-of-21 from inside the arc, and just 2-of-10 from long range.

UNLV basketball trails San Jose State at half, 39-32

We've got a shootout in San Jose, as the Spartans lead UNLV at the half, 39-32.

Both teams shot better than 60% over the first 20 minutes; San Jose State's superior 3-point shooting (6-of-11) accounts for their advantage on the scoreboard.

UNLV trailed by as many as 12 points before a 10-0 run got them back in the game. They held SJSU scoreless for nearly three minutes to draw within 35-32. D.J. Thomas hit a 3-pointer and converted a floater during the run, giving the freshman a team-high 10 points at the break.

San Jose State turned the tables by holding UNLV scoreless for the final 3:02.

Whichever team plays defense first may end up coming out on top tonight.

UNLV playing catch-up early at San Jose State

San Jose State has cooled down a little, but with 7:56 left in the half the Spartans still hold a 27-18 lead over UNLV.

After making nine of their first 10 shots from the field, the Spartans are just two of their last seven. Tibet Gorener continues to be a difficult cover, however, as he's got a game-high 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting.

D.J. Thomas has five points and an assists for UNLV, which is just 1-of-5 from long range as a team.

UNLV basketball falls behind early at San Jose State

UNLV was hoping to get off to a better start tonight, but with 14:19 left in the first half San Jose State has carved out a 19-11 lead.

Kevin Kruger was forced to make a change to his starting lineup, as senior guard Justin Webster is out due to an ankle injury. Junior forward Rob Whaley took his place in the starting five, giving UNLV a fairly big lineup with two true post players in Whaley and senior center Kalib Boone.

San Jose State got off to a 9-3 start, powered by a Tibet Gorener breakaway dunk. Gorener then hit a 3-pointer from the wing a moment later to stretch the Spartans' lead to 17-7.

UNLV definitely doesn't want to fall behind by a big margin tonight, not after the way Air Force overwhelmed them in the opening minutes on Tuesday. Let's see if they can right the ship after this timeout.

UNLV looks to bounce back at San Jose State

It’s time to find out what the UNLV basketball team is all about, as they take the court on Saturday for the first time since getting blown out by Air Force, 90-58.

That disastrous home loss dropped UNLV almost 30 spots in the KenPom rankings and all but eliminated Kevin Kruger’s squad from at-large consideration — right when it looked like the team was coming together and gathering steam.

So how will they respond Saturday on the road against San Jose State? Three keys to watch:

Tapping into the resolve reserve

UNLV has been tested this season. After being stunned by Southern on opening night, they bounced back with an easy win over Stetson. After being routed in both games at the Sunshine Slam, they came home and scored a quality victory over a decent Akron squad. So we know UNLV is capable of bouncing back.

The Air Force loss felt different, but maybe Kruger and his crew can surprise us by coming back from the dead again.

Lineup changes?

After the Air Force game, Kruger said he and his staff would review everything before the next game. Could that include lineup changes?

There’s honestly not a lot to be done. UNLV has been down to a seven-man rotation in recent games, with Jackie Johnson and Rob Whaley serving as the only bench players receiving any significant minutes. Elevating one or both to the starting lineup could give give the team a new dimension, or it could be pointless tinkering.

And the starting lineup had been fine until Air Force, usually getting out to good starts and generally outscoring the opposition. It’s doubtful Kruger will make any drastic changes now.

Thomas time

D.J. Thomas has been UNLV’s best player this season, and he’s done it as a true freshman, averaging 11.6 points and 6.3 assists. His consistency was much needed on a team that took nearly half the season to find its stride.

The Air Force game represented Thomas’s first stumble. He appeared hesitant and unsure of how to attack the Falcons’ zone defense, and in 29 minutes he managed just four points on 2-of-9 shooting.

Getting Thomas back up to speed could be the key to getting UNLV back on track.

Who: UNLV (9-9, 2-4 MWC) vs. San Jose State (8-11, 1-5 MWC)

When: Saturday, 6 p.m.

Where: Event Center (San Jose, Calif.)

TV: FS1

Radio: 1100 AM, 100.9 FM

UNLV leaders

Scoring

Kalib Boone: 12.8 points

Rebounds

Luis Rodriguez: 7.1 rebounds

Assists

D.J. Thomas: 6.3 assists

San Jose State leaders

Scoring

M.J. Amey: 15.7 points

Rebounds

Trey Anderson: 5.1 rebounds

Assists

Alvaro Cardenas: 6.1 assists

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