Mbacke Diong
67
Winner UNLV UNLV 10-11,7-7 Mounta
64
San Jose State SJ 5-15,3-13 Mounta
Winner
UNLV UNLV
10-11,7-7 Mounta
67
Final
64
San Jose State SJ
5-15,3-13 Mounta
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UNLV UNLV 28 39 67
San Jose State SJ 27 37 64

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Runnin' Rebels Hang On To Sweep San Jose State With 67-64 Win

Mbacke Diong and Bryce Hamilton each recorded double-doubles Sunday at Provident Credit Union Event Center.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team held on to defeat San Jose State 67-64 Sunday at Provident Credit Union Event Center to sweep the two-game Mountain West series.

UNLV (10-11, 7-7) had three players score in double figures, with two recording double-doubles. Mbacke Diong had 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Bryce Hamilton scored a game-high 17 points with 12 rebounds. David Jenkins Jr. added 13 points, while Devin Tillis collected a career-high 11 rebounds.

The Spartans (5-15, 3-13) also had three score in double figures, led by Sebastian Mendoza's 14 points.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Diong was the most efficient Runnin' Rebel of the day as he was 6 of 9 from the field in recording his third double-double of the season and ninth of his career.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV out-rebounded San Jose State by 30 (59-29) and recorded a season-high 29 offensive rebounds.

WINNING MOMENT: With a two-point lead at 66-64 and 34 seconds left, UNLV had the ball out of a timeout. Jenkins missed a 3-point attempt but the Runnin' Rebels retained possession with a big offensive rebound by Diong. Jenkins was then fouled with 11 seconds to go and made one of two free throws to give UNLV the three-point lead. Richard Washington's 3-point attempt to tie as time was winding down was off the mark and Tillis grabbed the game's final rebound.

QUOTABLE: "Credit to San Jose State. Coach Prioleau had those guys ready. They were the more aggressive and more physical team. We talked about valuing the basketball and didn't do a very good job of that. Their change in defenses gave us trouble. Fortunately, Mbacke was a warrior today and no play was bigger than that last offensive rebound to help bring home a victory. You don't get style points this time of year in league play. We are lucky and fortunate to come out with a win." - UNLV head coach T.J. Otzelberger

NOTES: 
- UNLV took 20 more shots than San Jose State (76-56) but made just 35.5% from the field (27 of 76).
- The Runnin' Rebels made only 25.9% of their 3-pointers (7 of 27).
- Caleb Grill had a game-high seven assists with just two turnovers.
- UNLV had nine turnovers in the first half, but limited them to just four after halftime.
- The Runnin' Rebels led by one at the break, 28-27. 
- UNLV led by as many as 13 points (54-41) with 10 minutes to play, but SJSU went on a 13-0 run to tie it with 7:45 to go.
- There were a total of eight lead changes and 10 ties throughout.
- UNLV led in second-chance points, 20-2 and scored 38 points in the paint to SJSU's 28.
- Hamilton recorded his second double-double of the season and sixth of his career as he scored in double digits for the sixth straight game. He has now scored 10 or more points in 36 of his last 37 games.
- It was UNLV's third series sweep of the season.
- UNLV improved its record against SJSU to 43-6 all-time and 19-4 against the Spartans in San Jose.
- UNLV has now won eight straight against SJSU and five in a row at the Event Center.
- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,123 straight games.

NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV will return home to the Thomas & Mack Center to host Fresno State on Wednesday, February 24 and Friday, February 26. Both games are scheduled for 8 p.m. with Wednesday's on FS1 and Friday's on CBS Sports Network. Both games may be heard on ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas.


 
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