Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) drives in against San Jose State Spartans forward Brandon Clarke (15) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels guard Zion Morgan (10) dribbles the basketball San Jose State Spartans guard Isaiah Nichols (10) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) and San Jose State Spartans forward Brandon Clarke (15) battle for the opening tip off during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) drives in against San Jose State Spartans forward Brandon Clarke (15) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose State Spartans forward Brandon Clarke (15) goes up to block the shot by UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels guard Jalen Poyser (5) drives in against San Jose State Spartans guard Isaac Thornton (20) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels forward Christian Jones (20) shoots a free throw against the San Jose State Spartans during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) dribbles the basketball against San Jose State Spartans guard Terrell Brown (0) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose State Spartans forward Brandon Clarke (15) goes up to block the shot by UNLV Rebels forward Tyrell Green (3) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels forward Cheickna Dembele (11) goes up to block the shot by San Jose State Spartans guard Jaycee Hillsman (25) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels head coach Marvin Menzies reacts during the first half against the San Jose State Spartans at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
Jan 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose State Spartans forward Ryan Welage (32) goes up to block the shot by UNLV Rebels guard Zion Morgan (10) during the first half at San Jose State Event Center. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)
SAN JOSE, Calif. — UNLV built a 12-point lead early in the second half but couldn’t overcome a load of missed layups, a defense that allowed 49 points in the final 20 minutes and an 11-minute stretch without a field goal on the offensive end.
And so what would have been unthinkable as recently as last season for a proud Rebels basketball program occurred Saturday — UNLV lost to San Jose State.
But make that many mistakes and no loss is surprising, and this 76-72 defeat at The Event Center certainly wasn’t a shock given the Spartans were 1½-point favorites.
“It’s another game that was in our grasp,” UNLV coach Marvin Menzies said. “We just didn’t put two halves together. We can’t play that well defensively in one half and then get away from the principles that had us up by (12), but we did.”
It was the second road loss this past week for the Rebels (10-12, 3-6 Mountain West), who also were defeated 66-65 on Wednesday at Wyoming.
San Jose State (10-10, 3-6) ended a seven-game losing streak to UNLV.
The Rebels went ahead 42-30 early in the second half, but then struggled in shooting 30.8 for the half. San Jose State heated up, making 57.1 percent of its shots in the second half, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range.
Brandon Clarke totaled 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Spartans, and Ryan Welage scored 19.
Jovan Mooring led the Rebels with 17 points. He made one of two free throws with seven seconds left to pull UNLV within 74-72. Jaycee Hillsman iced the game with two free throws with six seconds left for the final margin.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.
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