The Runnin’ Rebels (11-9, 3-4) have struggled over the last month, losing four of their last seven and sliding towards the bottom of the Mountain West conference standings. Their work won’t get any easier Friday night against the Colorado State Rams (16-1, 6-1), whose sole loss on the season came inexplicably in a 79-49 loss against San Diego State on Jan. 8.
Senior guard Bryce Hamilton will try to lead the Runnin’ Rebels to victory in Fort Collins, Colorado on Friday. Hamilton is averaging 19.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists to go along with 1.1 steals.
“I’m ecstatic and proud of how the guys just continue to fight no matter what’s going on,” Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger said after the team’s 70-62 win against San Jose State on Saturday. “It was about doing whatever they needed to do to get UNLV the win. Just incredibly proud of the guys for doing anything they could… It could have easily gone the other way.”
The Runnin’ Rebels would follow up Saturday’s performance with a tough 80-55 loss to San Diego State on Monday. The team shot only 31.7% from the floor and 55.6% from the free-throw line. It’s no question that the Runnin’ Rebels will need to shoot more consistently against the Rams on Friday, who are putting up 78.5 points per game as a team in 2021-22.
“Just taking what the defense gives me,” Bryce Hamilton said after his 30-point performance against San Jose State. “Just being patient on the offensive end… starting to attack the paint more, getting my flow going. I feel like as a team we’ve been moving the ball a little bit better. I just find an opportunity to go and score.”
After the Runnin’ Rebels return from their road trip against Colorado State, they will prepare for a rivalry game against the UNR Wolfpack at the Thomas & Mack Center on Feb. 1.
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