UNLV misses at the buzzer in tourney loss to SDSU

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Thursday, March 14, 2024 | 7 p.m.

March Madness games are decided on crazy buzzer-beaters all the time. Just not the first-half buzzer.

UNLV was knocked out of the Mountain West tournament on Thursday, falling to San Diego State in overtime, 74-71. But while the final minutes of regulation and the extra period were filled with dramatic swings and game-changing plays, it was the end of the first half that will haunt the Scarlet and Gray long into the offseason.

UNLV led by eight points with halftime in sight when San Diego State was hit with a shot-clock violation. There were 1.6 seconds on the game clock, and Kevin Kruger called timeout to set up a fullcourt play.

Kruger tabbed senior wing Keylan Boone as the inbounder, but San Diego State pressured his outlets, leaving Boone with few good options. Boone eventually lofted a pass into no-man’s land beyond the top of the key, where Aztecs guard Darrion Trammell collected it and calmly sank an uncontested 3-pointer to send San Diego State into halftime with all the momentum.

San Diego State charged out of halftime and took the lead, and UNLV chased those three points the rest of the way.

D.J. Thomas scored six points in the final 30 seconds of regulation — including a game-tying flip shot with 0.5 seconds to play ­— and as the horn sounded and the game moved to a stunning overtime period, that first-half “what if” lingered.

UNLV scored the first four points of OT, but San Diego State stayed composed, as one would expect of a Final Four team. The Aztecs took the lead on a Lamont Butler drive with 10 seconds remaining; Thomas came up short on a finger roll, and Aztecs big man Jaedon LeDee made two free throws with 2.7 seconds left to extend the lead to three points.

Thomas took the ensuing inbound pass on the run, flew across halfcourt and into open space at the top of the key. He got off an uncontested look at a game-tying 3, but the shot was off-line as the buzzer sounded to end UNLV’s run in the Mountain West tournament.

Tied at the end of regulation. Down by three at the end of overtime. And a straight line drawn back to the disastrous final play of the first half.

Boone played a fierce game, going the full 45 minutes and posting 17 points and eight rebounds as UNLV’s undermanned frontcourt battled against San Diego State’s physical big men, but after the game he regretted, taking a risk on the inbound pass.

“A bonehead play by me,” Boone said. “There wasn’t really any real great shot we could have gotten, especially with our backs turned toward me and away from the rim. I was just trying to force a play that wasn’t there.”

San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher said he used that turning point to rally his players during halftime, noting that UNLV seemed to head to the locker room in a downtrodden mood despite still leading by five points.

“It was nice to see one go in,” Dutcher said. “We couldn’t get a 3 to go in with any regularity today, but that was a huge momentum changer.”

Given the minimal time on the clock and the difficulty UNLV had with San Diego State’s backcourt pressure all game, it was a surprise to see Kruger get aggressive and call timeout with the intention of trying to score.

Kruger wouldn’t describe the play he called, only that he didn’t intend to give three free points to the other team.

“I’m not going to speak for Keylan,” Kruger said of the play design. “Obviously were weren’t [trying to] throw it to Trammell.”

UNLV played the game shorthanded, as starting center Kalib Boone was severely hobbled by an ankle sprain. Kruger deemed him “not likely” to play on Wednesday, but Boone came out for warmups and gave it a shot, coming off the bench early in the first half. He exited a minute later, however, and did not return.

With Kalib Boone sidelined, San Diego State feasted on the glass, racking up 25 offensive rebounds. UNLV only managed 22 defensive rebounds, meaning the Aztecs had a better chance of grabbing their own misses than UNLV did.

San Diego State center Jaedon LeDee was the main beneficiary of UNLV’s downsized defense. After scoring 12 points on 2-of-12 shooting in the teams’ last meeting, LeDee exploded for 34 points while making a much more efficient 11-of-21 from the field. He also led the rebounding charge, corralling seven offensive boards and 16 total.

Thomas played 43 minutes and finished with 29 points and five assists. The freshman phenom went 10-of-21 from the field, and most of his makes were highlight-caliber.

After his final game-tying attempt missed, Thomas pulled his jersey over his head, exhausted, until his teammates walked him off the floor.

UNLV may be out of the running for an NCAA Tournament berth, but their surge over the second half of the season has situated the Scarlet and Gray for a likely NIT invitation.

Not surprisingly, Thomas wants to keep playing.

“If we’re asked to play in the postseason, we’re going to prepare for it and walk in with a winning mindset,” Thomas said.

Keylan Boone agreed.

“Of course,” Boone said. “As a senior, I just want to keep playing with my guys.”

The latest NIT projections have UNLV safely within the field, so this Scarlet and Gray group will probably get another chance to make some March memories.

And hopefully forget that end-of-half play.

“That was such an important shot that it could turn the tide of the game,” Dutcher said. “And maybe it did.”

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