UNLV ends regular season with loss to Fresno State

By MARK ANDERSON LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

9 years ago

UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) drives to the hoop against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the second half at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 72-59. (Cary Edmondson/USA Today Sports)

Fresno State Bulldogs forward Bryson Williams (11) holds onto a rebound against the UNLV Rebels in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

UNLV Rebels guard Jalen Poyser (5) drives to the hoop against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) dribbles the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

Fresno State Bulldogs center Terrell Carter II (34) reacts after the Bulldogs made a basket against the UNLV Rebels in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

UNLV Rebels guard Uche Ofoegbu (2) loses control of the ball after being fouled by Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jaron Hopkins (1) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

UNLV Rebels guard Uche Ofoegbu (2) attempts to drive past Fresno State Bulldogs guard Johnny McWililams (10) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

Fresno State Bulldogs center Terrell Carter II (34) spins towards the hoop next to UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

Fresno State Bulldogs guard Deshon Taylor (21) points towards an official following a timeout against the UNLV Rebels in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

Fresno State Bulldogs forward Paul Watson (3) is called for an offensive foul while attempting a shot next to UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

Fresno State Bulldogs forward Cullen Russo (13) attempts a shot next to UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

UNLV Rebels forward Cheickna Dembele (11) attempts a shot next to Fresno State Bulldogs forward Paul Watson (3) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) looks for room to pass next to Fresno State Bulldogs forward Bryson Williams (11) and guard Deshon Taylor (21) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

Fresno State Bulldogs forward Bryson Williams (11) spins towards the hoop next to UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) in the first half at the Save Mart Center. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jaron Hopkins (1) makes a three point basket over UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) in the second half at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 72-59. (Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)

FRESNO, Calif. — UNLV kept chipping away Saturday, but the hole the Rebels dug with two massive cold stretches was too deep.

A 72-59 loss to Fresno State at Save Mart Center ended the Rebels’ regular season, and their chances of putting together much of a postseason aren’t promising.

UNLV (11-20, 4-14 Mountain West) enters the conference tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center as the 11th seed, finishing last in league play for the first time in program history. The Rebels will play San Diego State (17-13, 9-9) at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

To have a chance in that game, the Rebels would need to play far better than against Fresno State (19-11, 11-7). UNLV shot 35.8 percent, going 7:35 between field goals in the first half and making only one basket through the first 9:10 of the second.

“We’ve just got to keep taking shots,” said UNLV guard Kris Clyburn, who made 6 of 9 field goals and totaled 18 points and 12 rebounds. “We’re going to eventually make them. We’ve got to hang our hat on the defensive end, and then that leads to open shots.”

Deshon Taylor scored 19 points to lead four Bulldogs in double figures.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.