Coach Kevin Kruger’s second season was a roller-coaster ride. Integrating eight new scholarship players and an entirely new coaching staff, the Rebels struggled in Mountain West play.
Andy Yamashita
Former Reporter: UNLV/Aces
No. 7-seeded UNLV lost in overtime to No. 2 Boise State on Thursday, ending the Rebels’ Mountain West tournament run in the quarterfinals once again.
Junior center and Desert Oasis alum Desi-Rae Young led the Lady Rebels to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Aces will play seven games on the ESPN family of networks, with three games on ABC, three games on ESPN2 and one game on ESPN.
No. 7-seeded UNLV beat No. 10 Air Force in overtime behind a career high in points from EJ Harkless, and coach Kevin Kruger earned his first Mountain West tournament win.
Clutch free throws kept the UNLV women’s season alive. They will play for the Mountain West tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth Wednesday.
Starting point guard Keshon Gilbert was handed a one-game suspension by the Mountain West, making him unavailable for UNLV when it faces Air Force on Wednesday.
UNLV took control with a dominant second quarter en route to a decisive victory over UNR in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West women’s basketball tournament.
UNLV fifth-year guard EJ Harkless was named a second-team All-Mountain West selection in the media poll released Monday. He finished second for Newcomer of the Year.
UNLV begins the Mountain West tournament Monday against UNR at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Lady Rebels know they probably have to win the tourney to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Sophomore guard Jackie Johnson III powered UNLV’s offense in overtime to lead the Rebels past UNR in the regular-season finale Saturday in Reno.
UNLV coach Kevin Kruger is 3-0 against the Wolf Pack, but the Rebels are regrouping after a 91-66 loss to Utah State on Wednesday.
UNLV stormed back in the fourth quarter to beat UNR in Reno and finish off an 18-0 season in the Mountain West.
EJ Harkless, Jordan McCabe, Elijah Parquet and Cameron Burist will be honored during senior night when UNLV plays Utah State on Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
“Ryan was just one of those guys who put a smile on your face,” former UNLV linebacker Austin Ajiake said of teammate Ryan Keeler, who died Feb. 20 at age 20.