The Rebels led by double figures with 13 minutes remaining but weren’t able to hold on against the Rams and preseason player of the year Isaiah Stevens.
Basketball
UNLV will have several promotions to celebrate the Thomas & Mack Center’s 40th birthday at 8 p.m. Jan. 30 when the Rebels take on Fresno State.
UNLV faces Florida State in the Sunshine Slam in Daytona Beach, Florida, at 2:30 p.m. Monday, then will play either Colorado or Richmond on Tuesday.
Becky Hammon hasn’t leaned on her bench much this season, but the Aces’ reserves came up big when they were needed in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Liberty.
The schedule did the Aces no favors Saturday as they lost their first regular-season game at home since July 2022. Aces star A’ja Wilson led all scorers with 25 points.
Riquna Williams and Candace Parker’s injury absences forced the Aces to sign rookie guard Ashley Joens to an emergency hardship contract Wednesday.
Aces assistant Tyler Marsh will serve as the team’s interim coach in the season-opening game against the Seattle Storm because of Becky Hammon’s suspension.
UNLV made its first additions from the transfer portal Wednesday, landing twins Keylan and Kalib Boone and Las Vegas native and former Clark High star Jalen Hill.
Missing two starters, UNLV stayed close with Boise State but still lost its third consecutive game Sunday in Boise, Idaho.
Brooklyn Hicks, a 6-foot-3-inch guard from Lacey, Washington, committed to UNLV on Wednesday. He chose the Rebels over Pac-12 schools, Saint Mary’s and UNR, among others.
Aces guard Kelsey Plum underwent surgery Wednesday for her right labrum. She is coming off the best season of her career, finishing second in the league in scoring.
UNLV coach Kevin Kruger and new additions EJ Harkless and Luis Rodriguez all spoke at Mountain West media day Wednesday.
Six of the Aces’ top seven players are under contract for next season, positioning them for another championship run.
The Aces have won five consecutive games since center Kiah Stokes joined the starting lineup. They’ll look to continue that trend Saturday in Game 2 of their first-round matchup with the Phoenix Mercury.
The Aces, coming off a 3-0 road trip, trailed by 17 points after the first quarter and never could catch the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night at Michelob Ultra Arena.
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