UNLV walked into the Provident Credit Union Event Center on Saturday afternoon and played like it wanted the game on its terms. The Rebels hit 7 3-pointers before halftime, built a 40-31 lead at the break and stayed in front the rest of the way in a 76-62 Mountain West win over San Jose State.
Howie Fleming Jr. kept the offense humming with 21 points and 8 assists as UNLV shot 54.0% from the field and 11-for-23 from 3-point range.
San Jose State made it interesting, briefly
The Spartans did not go away quietly. A Japhet Moupadele 3-pointer pulled San Jose State within 49-46 with 13:51 left, but that was as close as it got in the second half.
UNLV answered with a Kimani Hamilton 3-pointer and kept stacking stops. Later, Fleming drilled a 3-pointer with 3:54 left and Hamilton followed with another at 2:56 to push the lead to 73-60 and tilt the finish into cruise control.
The numbers that decided it
UNLV’s shooting and ball movement swung the math. The Rebels assisted on 17 baskets and committed 7 turnovers, while San Jose State finished with 5 assists and 12 turnovers. UNLV turned those mistakes into a 15-9 edge in points off turnovers.
San Jose State did win the glass 31-22 and had a 9-2 edge in second-chance points, but UNLV’s shot-making, including a season-high 11 3-pointers, covered the rest.
Fleming led, Hamilton sniped, Jones protected the rim
Fleming was the engine, Hamilton supplied the perimeter shooting and Tyrin Jones gave UNLV rim protection in limited minutes. Jones finished with 12 points and 2 blocks in 19 minutes, while Hamilton went 3-for-3 from deep and added 11 points with 3 assists.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn scored 10 with 4 assists and UNLV got 18 bench points, including 8 from Isaac Williamson.
What’s next for the Runnin’ Rebels
UNLV stays on the road for its next Mountain West game with a matchup at Utah State on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. PT on FS1. The Rebels then return to the Thomas & Mack Center to host San Diego State on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. PT on CBS. After that, UNLV remains home to face New Mexico on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network.
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