[su_heading size=”16″]Injury, near misses contribute to 48-46 loss to UNLV Rebels[/su_heading]
Junior forward Larry Nance Jr. missed a potential game-tying bucket from six feet out with less than two seconds remaining, and the Cowboys (14-9) fell to the UNLV Rebels (16-8) in yet another tight game, 48-46.
Nance Jr. suffered a groin injury midway through the first half and played the entire second half in noticeable pain. He finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
The Cowboys trailed 41-34 with 6:43 to play in the second half. Junior guard Riley Grabau hit a three with 3:02 remaining to cut the Rebels’ lead to two, 44-42.
Another three by Grabau with 1:04 remaining again cut the lead to two again, 48-46.
On UNLV’s following possession junior guard Deville Smith turned it over, allowing the Cowboys to play for the final shot.
They entered the ball to Nance, who backed down his man and missed a potential game winning shot from six feet out with less than two seconds to play. The rebound was batted around and time expired.
Wyoming shot 46 percent form the field, 33 percent from downtown and made four of their five free throws.
UNLV only shot 43 percent from the field, 23 percent from three and made three of their four free throws.
Wyoming turned it over 14 times in the game while UNLV only turned it over seven times. 10 of the Cowboy’s turnovers came in the first half.
The only other Cowboy to score in double figures was Grabau with 11 points. Rounding out the Cowboy scoring was senior guard Nathan Sobey with seven points.
Sophomore guard Josh Adams, in his first game following his suspension, scored six points.
Junior forward Khem Birch, who scored 11 points in Saturday’s game, led UNLV’s offensive effort. He was the only Rebel to score in double figures.
The first half was characterized by a multitude of Wyoming turnovers and a lot of missed shots by UNLV. Wyoming trailed at half 22-20 and never gained the lead in the second half.
The Cowboys were coming off a loss at New Mexico on Wednesday night where they fell in OT, 66-61.
Wyoming is now 3-7, 2-5 in the Mountain West, in games decided by five points or less.
The Cowboys return home on Tuesday to take on No. 5 San Diego State. The game is set for 9:05 p.m. in the Arena Auditorium, and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
