Rebels off target in ‘disappointing outcome’ in MW opener

A long 3-point try by Jerome Seagears fell short at the buzzer, and one game into the Mountain West season, UNLV already is in a situation of desperation.

A lack of offensive execution that put the Rebels in a hole also caused their downfall in the final minute.

Marvelle Harris poured in 22 points, and Torren Jones scored game’s final four points to rally Fresno State to a 69-66 victory over UNLV on Wednesday night in the teams’ conference opener at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"We just made way too many mistakes to win that basketball game," coach Dave Rice said. "It’s a very disappointing outcome."

Jones’ tip-in with 25 seconds left and his free throws with 11 seconds to go finished off the upset for the Bulldogs (10-4).

Junior forward Ben Carter’s 12 points and eight rebounds led the Rebels (9-5), and freshman guard Jalen Poyser carried the team down the stretch while the offense was otherwise faltering.

It took all of one game to shoot down the notion UNLV should be favored to win the conference.

"We’re going to get back to the drawing board," Carter said. "No one has seen the best of this team yet."

Seagears’ shot selection certainly was not the best. The senior point guard launched a 3-point miss with 15 seconds on the clock, and it was a mystery why he attempted a deep jumper out of a timeout with UNLV trailing by one.

Trailing by nine midway through the second half, the Rebels rallied by finding ways to get to the free-throw line. A steal and two free throws by Carter cut UNLV’s deficit to 59-56 with 5:51 to go. All five Bulldogs on the floor had four fouls when Stephen Zimmerman Jr. made a free throw to pull the Rebels within two points with 4:49 left.

Poyser’s deep 3 from the right wing put UNLV up 61-60 at the 4:08 mark. Poyser hit another 3, this time from the right corner, with 2:44 to play. Fresno State tied the score before Poyser scored on a reverse layup with 1:25 remaining.

Jones jumped over Zimmerman to tip in a missed free throw with 25 seconds left to put the Bulldogs up 67-66. After Seagears misfired from the corner, Jones was fouled and hit both free throws.

Sophomore guard Patrick McCaw was denied on a dribble drive, and his 3-point attempt was blocked by Cullen Russo with two seconds on the clock. Seagears, who shot 3-for-10, gathered the ball and threw it off the rim at the buzzer.

UNLV shot 16-for-48 from the field, including 6-for-22 in the second half. The Rebels made 26 of 35 free throws.

Jones had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Bulldogs, who prevailed despite their top seven players each picking up four fouls.

The Rebels overcame a painfully slow start to lead 33-28 at halftime. In the first 10 minutes, UNLV shot 2-for-13 from the field, including 1-for-8 on 3s.

McCaw was whistled for a charge, his third foul, and went to the bench at the 5:25 mark. Junior guard Daquan Cook, who was reinstated this week after a 13-game suspension stemming from a DUI arrest, received a warm ovation when he checked in to replace McCaw. Cook hit his first shot from 3-point range to tie the score at 23 with 3:30 left.

Zimmerman followed by spotting up at the top and knocking down a 3 to help trigger an offensive surge before the break.

But the first 10 minutes of the second half mirrored the first. The Rebels emerged from the locker room and inspired scattered boos from the announced crowd of 12,220 by shooting 2-for-11 and digging a hole.

Back-to-back turnovers by McCaw led to a Russo dunk, two free throws by Jones and a 50-42 advantage for Fresno State. Karachi Edo dunked over Zimmerman and finished a three-point play to put the Bulldogs ahead 53-44 with 10:39 remaining.

Poyser, Seagears and Ike Nwamu each scored 11 points for UNLV, which paid for its 21 turnovers that led to 33 points for the Bulldogs.

McCaw, the Rebels’ leading scorer, had two points and five turnovers in 18 mostly lackadaisical minutes.

Zimmerman recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds, but the 7-foot freshman came up one rebound short when UNLV desperately needed it.

The Rebels hit the road for their next conference game on Jan. 6 at Colorado State.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247