Men's season ends against UNLV 67-63
By John Guthrie / Student Publications
Javaris Crittenton helps to make a play on defense in Tech's first-round game against UNLV. He finished with eight points in the game.
The Tech men's basketball team's stay in the NCAA tournament was short-lived as UNLV knocked off the Jackets 67-63.
In the first half, UNLV jumped out to an 11-3 lead with the help of three consecutive three-point shots by Michael Umeh. He ended the game with 19 points after shooting 5-for-12 from the field and 4-for-8 from behind the three-point line.
"Kevin [Kruger] got me some open looks on some drives and kick outs. He found me, and I was able to knock down the shots."
The Running Rebels increased their lead to 14 with three and a half minutes to go at 29-15. The Jackets rallied to close the half to a 33-26 UNLV lead at the break.
The Jackets shot just 9-for-28 from the field and 7-for-13 from the free throw line in the first half.
In the first two minutes of the second half, the Jackets cut the UNLV lead to two at 35-33, and they played the Running Rebels close until they tied the score at 46 all with 11 minutes left to go in the game.
Over the next four minutes UNLV went on a 9-2 run to open up a lead. The Jackets did not take their first lead until Anthony Morrow hit two foul shots with 3:32 to play to give the Jackets the 58-57 lead.
The Jackets were unable to get several key rebounds down the stretch and UNLV eventually won 67-63.
"Rebounding was the turning point [of the game]. I think there were several opportunities with 1:11 to go. They missed three or four shots, and we just couldn't get our hands on the ball," said Tech Head Coach Paul Hewitt.
For the game, UNLV out-rebounded Tech 44-41 with both teams having 20 defensive boards.
"Rebounding is all about will. You have to have the will and heart to rebound out there. They had a lot more will than we did under the glass," said Junior Jeremis Smith.
D' Andrew Bell and Alade Aminu led the Tech offense after they each scored 11 points.
For the game, the Jackets shot 25-for-61 from the field while UNLV shot only 19-60 from the field, but the Running Rebels also shot 8-30 from three-point range to advance to the second round of the tournament.
