‘I feel sick to my stomach’: UNLV’s Pastner era begins with shocking loss — PHOTOS
Not sure this is how the opening chapter was supposed to be written.
The Josh Pastner era at UNLV began Tuesday night at Thomas & Mack Center and let’s just say the final score might surprise many.
Tennessee-Martin 86, UNLV 81.
It just wasn’t a good night for the Rebels in most all areas. Fouls. Turnovers. Ball movement.
They were unable to stop Tennessee-Martin when they needed to most.
“I want to apologize to the fan base for that opener,” said Pastner, UNLV’s first-year coach. “I feel sick to my stomach. We were doing things with the ball we have not done for five months. We just weren’t good on both sides of the ball. Credit to U-T Martin. We let them hang around.
“What I was most disappointed about is our team did not look like who we had been the last few months. I promised everyone how we were going to play and we were a little out of sorts this evening, unfortunately. On both sides.”
Too many fouls
It was a night of whistles and turnovers. It didn’t help UNLV that key players were in foul trouble throughout.
Senior forward Kimani Hamilton fouled out with 9:32 remaining and Tennessee-Martin up four. He finished with 13 points and two rebounds.
The Skyhawks would shoot — get this — 48 free throws on the night and make just 27.
UNLV didn’t help itself in many ways. The Rebels had 22 turnovers, which Tennessee-Martin turned into 21 points.
The Rebels are dealing with their share of injuries. It’s obvious they need some bodies to return.
The Rebels led 43-39 at halftime. It was a sloppy opening 20 minutes for Pastner’s team.
Like, really sloppy.
UNLV had 14 turnovers at halftime, emphasizing the need for a player like junior point guard Myles Che, who didn’t play because of a foot injury. Che isn’t expected back soon.
The Rebels just weren’t crisp Tuesday. They fouled a 3-point shooter four times.
Junior guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn led UNLV with 10 first-half points and Hamilton added nine before picking up his third foul with 9:07 remaining before the break.
Gibbs-Lawhorn, who scored a team-high 18 points, also found himself with three fouls at halftime and played much of the second half with four.
Ball handling was a huge issue when he was off the court.
“It wasn’t the result we all wanted to have,” Gibbs-Lawhorn said. “It’s our first real game with each other, so we can’t hang our heads too low. The best thing we can do is keep working and getting better.”
Senior guard Al Green scored nine early points for UNLV and finished with 12.
Figure it out
Pastner on Monday said he hoped his team would improve as the year goes on.
“I hope we don’t peak (Tuesday night),” Pastner said. “I want us to get better but you learn a little about your team every time you step on the floor. There’s only so many chances and we need to play against somebody else.
“I’m a big believer in preparation. It doesn’t guarantee wins. We have to be excellent in the things we have to be excellent in. From there, it gives you a chance to be successful.”
The Rebels definitely didn’t reach any sort of peak Tuesday.
They have a (really) long way to go.
This isn’t how most thought the story would go to begin things, but that’s college basketball in November. Things happen. Teams show their warts.
Things can only go up from here.
“We have to figure it out,” Pastner said. “Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We have to figure it out in a hurry.”
Prior to tip off, the Thomas & Mack Center court was rededicated to honor both legendary Hall of Fame basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian and his wife, Lois.
Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
