Men's Basketball 1/21/2022 1:02:00 PM

Runnin' Rebels Back Home Saturday Against San Jose State At 12 PM

UNLV to play its third game of the week.

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's basketball team will return to the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Jan. 22 to host San Jose State at 12 p.m. It will be the Runnin' Rebels' third game of the week as they are currently in the midst of a stretch of four contests in a week's time.

PROMOTIONS: New incentives to increase student attendance begin Saturday as the spring semester started earlier this week. There will be a free student tailgate starting at 10:30 a.m. with free food provided by Taco Bell. It will also include games, a live DJ and giveaways, including a chance to win a 2022 spring break trip planned by Tryp360. Additionally, a student loyalty program also begins Saturday with a pair of custom Nike Air Force 1 shoes given to those who attend each of the final six men's basketball homes games this season, along with the final women's basketball home game vs. UNR. Saturday's game will also support Coaches vs. Cancer efforts. During the game, fans are encouraged to visit the marketing table to add names to the "I Stand For" wall, where fans are able to write the name of someone they know impacted by cancer. At halftime, all will be invited to take part in a ceremony to recognize the impact of cancer in our community.

LAST TIME OUT: The Runnin' Rebels lost at Air Force Thursday night, 69-62. Senior guard Bryce Hamilton scored 32 points and junior forward Donovan Williams had 19. UNLV came back from 14 down in the second half to cut its deficit to just four points late, however that was as close as it got. The Runnin' Rebels entered the game having won six of their previous eight games.

THIS SEASON: Hamilton leads the Runnin' Rebels (10-8, 2-3) in scoring this season at 19.0 points per game, which ranks fourth in the Mountain West, with Williams second at 14.6 ppg and fifth in the league in field-goal percentage at 50.5. Senior forward Royce Hamm Jr. is second in the MW in rebounding with 9.9 per contest (14th in the country) and is also averaging 8.9 ppg and 0.9 blocks per game. Senior guard Jordan McCabe leads the team in assists at 4.7 apg (seventh in the MW) and is second in the conference and ninth in the country in assist/turnover ratio (3.1).

UNLV has had an entirely new look this year with nine transfers - eight coming from the Division I level, including four from Big 12 programs. Ten of the Runnin' Rebels' 13 scholarship players had yet to play in a game in a UNLV uniform before this season began.

UNLV's 15-man roster includes 13 upperclassmen. Hamilton was selected to the 2021-22 Preseason All-Mountain West Team in October. Initially declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft, the second-team All-MW honoree last season who led the Runnin' Rebels in scoring with 17.9 points per game decided to return to the program.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT: San Jose State (7-9, 0-4) has opened Mountain West play with four losses: at Fresno State (79-59), at home to Colorado State (78-42), at home to UNLV (81-56) and at Wyoming (84-69). Omari Moore leads the team in scoring with 13.3 ppg, rebounding with 5.3 ppg and assists with 4.8 apg. The Spartans rank 17th in the country in 3-pointers made per game with 10.0. San Jose State is 1-6 on the road this season.

BROADCAST INFO: Saturday's game will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network/Stadium with Ben Wilson and Tony Cordasco calling the action. Jon Sandler, former Runnin' Rebel Curtis Terry and Steve Cofield (sidelines) will handle the UNLV radio call, which may be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas. All streaming links and live stats are available at UNLVRebels.com and through the UNLV Rebels App.

TICKETS: Tickets may be purchased online at UNLVtickets.com, on the phone by calling 702-739-FANS (3267) or in person by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Bryce Hamilton: Guard; 6' 4"; Sophomore; 1L

#14 Royce Hamm Jr.: F; 6' 9"; Fifth Year

#5 Jordan McCabe: G; 6' 0"; Senior

#3 Donovan Williams: F; 6' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#13 Bryce Hamilton
: 6' 4"; Sophomore; 1L
: Guard

#14 Royce Hamm Jr.
: 6' 9"; Fifth Year
: F

#5 Jordan McCabe
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G

#3 Donovan Williams
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F