LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Runnin’ Rebels felt the chill in Northern Utah, falling to Utah State 76-71. UNLV has now lost eight straight to the Aggies in Logan and nine of the last 10 at the Spectrum.
Utah State went on a 13-0 first-half run, building a 16-point first-half lead before settling for a 33-24 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Rebels managed to claw back, tying the game at 56 apiece with 5:50 left in the game.
UNLV falls to 11-10 on the season and 5-5 in league play. Kruger said he was proud of the way his team fought back, saying the Spectrum is one of the toughest places to play.
“It is an unbelievable venue,” Kruger said. ” For the guys to battle from 16 down, when it would have been very easy to give up and lay down, they just continued to fight.”
With the win, the Aggies improved to 19-2 on the season and 9-1 in league play. Kruger says there’s no shame in this loss. “I’m not a moral victory guy. I won’t sleep, I won’t eat, I won’t feel good about it, but when I watch the film,” Kruger said. “I’m going to take the positives of the things we did well and the things that we can build on.”
Dedan Thomas led UNLV with 22, and Jaden Henley and Jalen Hill each scored 16. The Rebels will play their in-state rival, Nevada, on Saturday.