The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (4-4) fell 83-65 to the Creighton Bluejays (7-3).
The Positives
In the loss, Jailen Bradford came off the bench with a season-high 20 points. Bradford made three three-pointers. Dedan Thomas, Jr. added 18 points. Julian Rishwain also scored in double figures with 10 points. The Runnin’ Rebels forced 16 turnovers and excelled in getting points off of turnovers, 18-6.
Too Many Bluejays
The Creighton Bluejays found a way to win with five players scoring in double digits. Jamiya Neal almost had a triple double. He scored 19 points and had nine rebounds and nine assists. Steven Ashworth added 17 points and seven assists.
The Bluejays shot an amazing 73.1% from the floor and they went 5-of-8 from the three-point line.
With 7:46 left to go in the first half, the Runnin’ Rebels held a slim lead 22-21 but the Bluejays then went on an 18-5 run to take the lead. After halftime, the Bluejays came out swinging scoring the first 10 points of the half to push the lead to 22, to make the score 49—27.
Runnin’ Rebels Bummed
After the game, Coach Kevin Kruger said “Our confidence is a little rattled right now. Confidence is a tricky thing. When you’re going through it, it feels like you’re never going to feel good again, but then something happens, something sparks it. A good night’s sleep, a good shooting session, or something like that and you are back to your old self. Our team is bummed, they’re down.” This was the fifth meeting between the two teams, UNLV still leads the series 3-2.
What’s Next?
The Runnin’ Rebels will get a little time to rest to regain their bearings. They play their next game on Saturday, December 14th at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack Jones Classic at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson against the Pacific Tigers.
