UNLV loses by 25 at Viejas Arena, swept by SDSU

Photo Credit: Lucas Peltier

Playing in its fourth game in seven days, UNLV suffered its second loss of the stretch, this time to a bitter rival.

The Runnin’ Rebels were beaten by the San Diego State Aztecs, 80-55, Monday, Jan. 24 from Viejas Arena.

UNLV is now 1-4 on the road this season. SDSU is now 8-1 at home.

In addition, it was a follow-up to the team’s 62-55 loss to the Aztecs on New Year’s Day.

The Rebels are now 11-9 on the year and 3-4 in the Mountain West. This is the fourth time this season the team has been under .500 in conference play.

A road game at Colorado State is next for UNLV set for Friday, Jan. 28. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

San Diego State rushed out to a 10-point lead UNLV would cut it to as little as four points with 9:30 left in the first half.

The Rebels were able to cut into the lead after holding the Aztecs scoreless for nearly three minutes.

That would be as close as UNLV would get. The lead grew to as much as 28 points in the second half.

Frustrations began to mount as the second half wore on as freshman guard Keshon Gilbert was called for a technical foul for a push after the whistle of a play.

The physicality remained from the road team as the Rebels found themselves over the foul limit with more than 14 minutes left in regulation.

SDSU guard Matt Bradley torched the nets for 27 points on 10-of-11 from the field.

Overall, UNLV was outshot from the field 53% to 32% by its opponent.

In addition, the team was outscored in the paint, 48-20 and gave up 18 points off 18 turnovers.

The Rebels never led at any point of the game.

Junior forward Donovan Williams did return to the lineup after missing the team’s last contest against San Jose State.

He struggled for most of the game and did not score his first points of the game until the 19:16-mark of the second half.

Williams finished with those two points on 1-of-7 shooting in 14 minutes of play.

He scored a team-high 16 points in the first meeting between these two teams on Jan. 1.

Senior guard Bryce Hamilton led the way again, scoring 23 points on 8-of-17 from the field with four made threes.

He also hauled in six rebounds.

Hamilton scored 10 of the team’s 23 first half points.

Senior guard Jordan McCabe added five in the first 20 minutes. He ended the game as the only other Rebel in double figures with 10 points.