Bryce Hamilton (13) shoots a three pointer in the final seconds of the first half during a game at the Thomas & Mack Center Monday Jan. 25, 2021.
Published Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 | 5 p.m.
Updated 4 minutes ago
It got scary in the final minutes, as Utah State whittled UNLV’s nine-point lead to a single possession, but Moses Wood blocked a potential game-tying 3 at the buzzer and UNLV held on for a 59-56 win over Utah State.
UNLV made myriad mistakes down the stretch, including a couple blown breakaway dunks by Nick Blake (the freshman missed the first attempt, then traveled on an identical easy dunk 30 seconds later). But David Jenkins calmly made a pair of free throws to extend UNLV’s lead to three points with six seconds left, and Wood smothered Steven Ashworth’s attempt from the right wing to preserve the victory.
And it’s a big victory for UNLV, which is now 6-6 on the year and 3-2 in the Mountain West. Wood finished with 10 points, while Bryce Hamilton and David Jenkins had 14 apiece to lead UNLV.
UNLV and Utah State will play again on Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
UNLV on verge of knocking off Utah State
UNLV is on the verge of knocking off Utah State, as the scarlet and gray hold a 50-43 lead with 4:57 to play.
Nick Blake just made the play of the game, as the freshman jumped the passing lane for a steal, then put the ball behind his back to elude a defender as he streaked in for a layup. Blake now has eight points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Both teams are struggling to score, which made Blake’s easy bucket all the more impactful. Utah State is 3-of-23 from the field since halftime, while UNLV has made (4-of-25).
UNLV holding off Utah State in second half
Points have been hard to come by here in the second half, but Bryce Hamilton just buried a difficult 3 with a hand in his face to give UNLV a 45-41 advantage with 12:00 to play.
The game had been scoreless for more than three minutes when Hamilton connected. Utah State is shooting 3-of-15 since the break, while UNLV has made 2-of-14.
Hamilton now has a game-high 14 points to go along with six assists.
UNLV leads Utah State at half, 39-34
The half couldn’t have ended much better for UNLV, as Bryce Hamilton knocked in a pair of 3’s from the top of the key to close out the final minute and extend the lead to 39-34 at the break.
UNLV made eight 3-pointers in the half (8-of-16), using off-ball movement and quick passing to create a slew of wide-open looks. If they continue to run the offense like that for the next 20 minutes — and Hamilton, David Jenkins and Moses Wood continue to make shots — UNLV has a real chance to win this game.
Hamilton and Jenkins each scored 11 points in the half, while Wood chipped in 10. Mbacke Diong has five rebounds and played solid defense when Utah State tried to post up Neemias Queta (six points, 3-of-6 field goals).
While UNLV shot the lights out in the first half, Utah State made just 3-of-13 from beyond the arc. That’s a good break for the scarlet and gray.
UNLV leads Utah State in first half
UNLV continues to make outside shots, and with 3:53 left in the half they’ve got a 31-28 lead.
Moses Wood has been the X factor on offense for the scarlet and gray. He’s got a game-high 10 points and has gotten his buckets in a variety of ways. He has hit 2-of-3 from 3-point range, cut to the hoop for a layup and he just flew in for a tip-in putback, giving UNLV some serious spark.
As a team UNLV is shooting 40.7 percent for the game but a red-hot 46.2 percent from long distance (6-of-13). David Jenkins has hit a couple deep bombs (including a 4-point play) and freshman Nick Blake just swished a long 3 as well.
Utah State big man Neemias Queta has two blocks, but UNLV has been able to dissuade him in the post by swarming him on defense. Queta has six points on 3-of-6 shooting.
This game appears to be unfolding according to UNLV’s blueprint. There’s still a long way to go, but this is an encouraging performance from T.J. Otzelberger’s crew so far.
UNLV starts hot against Utah State
UNLV has made 3-of-7 from 3-point range so far, and that warm start has kept them close. With 11:39 remaining in the first half, Utah State has a 15-13 lead.
Moses Wood started for UNLV in place of Edoardo Del Cadia, and the sophomore has played well, with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. Bryce Hamilton has been able to penetrate the USU defense, but two of his layup attempts were erased by Neemias Queta blocks.
With Queta patrolling the paint, UNLV is going to have to keep making 3’s.
Bryce Hamilton in uniform
Bryce Hamilton is in uniform on the court right now, going through pregame warmups with his teammates, so it appears as if UNLV will have its leading scorer available tonight against Utah State.
Hamilton sprained his ankle toward exactly one week ago toward the end of UNLV’s win over New Mexico on Jan. 18. He missed Thursday’s game against Benedictine Mesa, but that may have been more of a precautionary decision in order to get him closer to 100 percent for Utah State, which comes in at 9-1 in the Mountain West.
Hamilton’s availability is great news for the scarlet and gray.
Three keys for UNLV basketball vs. Utah State
Coming off a fortifying home sweep of New Mexico, the UNLV basketball is at it again Monday against Utah State (6 p.m., CBS Sports).
The Aggies are rolling in at 12-4 and 9-1 in the Mountain West, so this will be the toughest test for the scarlet and gray so far this season.
Three keys for UNLV (5-6, 2-2 MWC):
Hamilton’s status
Leading scorer Bryce Hamilton (20.3 points per game) sat out Thursday’s quasi-exhibition game against Benedictine Mesa due to a sprained ankle, but UNLV was confident they’d be able to squeak by without him in that contest. Tonight is different. Utah State is perhaps the best team in the Mountain West, and it’s difficult to imagine UNLV pushing the Aggies unless Hamilton plays and plays very well.
Hamilton is one of the few MWC players who has a track record of success scoring against Utah State and dominant rim protector Neemias Queta. Last year, Hamilton averaged 17.5 points against USU while shooting 55.6 percent (15-of-27); UNLV is hoping Hamilton will be able to suit up and produce those kinds of numbers tonight.
Outside offense
Utah State’s interior defense, as mentioned above, is dominant. Opponents shoot just 48.4 percent around the rim, the third-best mark in the nation, which forces teams to migrate outside and launch more 3’s.
For the season, 42.4 percent of shots allowed by USU have been 3-pointers, the 45th-highest rate in the country. UNLV will most likely follow suit, so it will take good performances from the team’s top shooters (David Jenkins, Hamilton, Caleb Grill, etc.) in order to keep pace. If they come out hot, this could be a game. If not…
More of Mo?
Because the 3-point shot will be so important tonight, Moses Wood should be in line for extended playing time, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 6-foot-8 sophomore start at power forward.
Edoardo Del Cadia hasn’t given UNLV much interior offense (2.3 points per game), and he doesn’t have the range of Wood, who can step out beyond the arc and is currently shooting 37.0 percent from 3-point range. Look for UNLV to turn to Wood early in an effort to stretch the floor and keep Queta from camping out under the hoop on defense.
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
