Image Source: Zane Woods
Key Takeaways
- UNLV suffered a crushing 98-66 loss to Wyoming, snapping their momentum and dropping their record to 7-7
- Wyoming dominated the game, shooting 55% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range, while UNLV struggled with 37.5% field goal percentage
- The Cowboys outscored UNLV 46-26 in the paint and outrebounded them 43-29, generating 16 second-chance points
- UNLV’s Kimani Hamilton led the team with 19 points and 6 rebounds, while Tyrin Jones added 16 points and 8 rebounds
Introduction to the Game
The UNLV Rebels’ momentum came to a screeching halt on Tuesday night as they suffered a devastating 98-66 loss to the Wyoming Cowboys in Laramie. As the Rebels’ coach would later lament, "none of our previous success against the Cowboys carried over" into this game, despite holding a 47-21 series lead over Wyoming heading into the matchup. The Cowboys’ impressive performance was a far cry from their usual struggles against UNLV, and it was clear from the start that this would be a long night for the Rebels.
First-Half Dominance
The Cowboys jumped out to a 23-8 lead before the halfway point of the first half, and never looked back. Wyoming guard Leland Walker was on fire, hitting multiple pull-up threes to help his team build a commanding lead. As Walker noted, "we just came out and played our game, and it worked out for us." Walker’s impressive shooting night, which included 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, helped him finish with a game-high 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting. The Cowboys’ offense was clicking on all cylinders, shooting 55% from the field and 42.9% from deep, while UNLV struggled to find their rhythm, finishing at 37.5% from the field but hitting 5 of 11 from deep.
Wyoming’s Inside Presence
By the time the first-half dust had settled, Wyoming was up 48-26, thanks in large part to their dominant inside presence. The Cowboys outscored UNLV 46-26 in the paint, and outrebounded the Rebels 43-29, generating 16 second-chance points. As one observer noted, "UNLV consistently had no answer for Wyoming’s physicality," which allowed the Cowboys to control the tempo of the game. Wyoming’s transition pressure also kept UNLV scrambling defensively, leading to an efficient shooting night for the Cowboys. As Wyoming coach Jeff Linder said, "our guys did a great job of executing the game plan and making plays when it mattered."
UNLV’s Struggles
Despite their best efforts, UNLV was unable to mount a significant comeback in the second half. The Rebels attempted to respond by scoring in the paint, including a dunk by guard Howie Fleming Jr. off a steal, but every time they inched closer, Wyoming pushed them backwards. Forward Kimani Hamilton led the Rebels with 19 points and 6 rebounds, and also got to the free-throw line eight times. Forward Tyrin Jones added 16 points and 8 rebounds, as well as 3 steals and 4 blocks, making an impact defensively in a lackluster defensive performance. However, it was not enough to overcome the Cowboys’ dominant performance.
Aftermath and Looking Ahead
The loss drops UNLV’s record to 7-7, and is a disappointing start to conference play for the Rebels. As UNLV coach Kevin Kruger noted, "we just didn’t play well, and Wyoming played great. We’ve got to regroup and get ready for our next game." The team will look to bounce back on January 9th against Colorado State in Fort Collins. As Kruger said, "we’ve got to learn from this loss and move forward. We can’t dwell on it, we’ve got to get ready for the next one." With a tough road ahead, the Rebels will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to turn their season around.
https://www.mwcconnection.com/unlv-rebels-basketball/78880/unlv-overwhelmed-early-falls-98-66-at-wyoming