UNLV basketball crowded out by Utah State

Utah State forward Karson Templin (22) dribbles the ball as UNLV guard Brooklyn Hicks (13) and Pape N'Diaye (22) defend in the first half Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Logan, Utah. Photo by Eli Lucero / Herald Journal via AP

LOGAN, Utah — That’s why they call it home-court advantage.

After dropping two games inside a sleepy Thomas & Mack Center last week, UNLV traveled to Logan, Utah, and experienced first-hand the kind of difference a ravenous crowd can make, as the home fans spurred Utah State to a 76-71 victory.

Nearly 10,000 fans packed the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, and they pushed their Aggies at just the right moments. The frenzied atmosphere inside the building helped Utah State race out to a 7-2 lead, and when Drake Allen made consecutive 3-pointers midway through the first half it got so loud that UNLV coach Kevin Kruger had to call timeout in an attempt to restore order.

The Utah State lead swelled as high as 16 points and UNLV spent much of the second half clawing its way back into the game. A Jalen Hill 3-point play knotted the score at 56-56 with six minutes to play, and the Spectrum actually fell silent for a moment.

The crowd quickly re-engaged, however, as Utah State surged ahead, 64-59. With 2:29 to play Aggies guard Deyton Albury drained a corner 3 to make it 67-59, setting off an explosion among the blue-clad partisans.

Kruger was again forced to call timeout, but the game had been decided.

Outside the UNLV locker room after the game, Kruger credited his players for their effort in the face of such a vociferous onslaught.

“It’s a tough place to win,” Kruger said, scanning the box score. “That is an unbelievable venue. What was the attendance today? Nine-thousand, seven-hundred and forty, and probably about 7,000 [were] students. It was unreal.”

Defensive communication proved difficult, as UNLV players continually prodded each other to be louder when calling out screens. The most tangible effect of the crowd may have been felt in the shooting column — UNLV made just 4-of-20 from 3-point range, including a 2-of-11 performance in the second half as the volume reached deafening levels inside the Spectrum.

Senior wing Julian Rishwain took the approach of meeting the crowd head on, going back and forth with hecklers on several occasions. The fans got the better of that battle, as Rishwain shot 2-of-11 from the field and 2-of-10 from 3-point range.

Hill scored 16 points but committed five turnovers, with two key giveaways on back-to-back possessions to fuel Utah State’s decisive run.

After playing four years in the Big 12 and spending a couple seasons in the Mountain West, Hill has seen plenty of crazed crowds, and even he was impressed by the Utah State student section.

“Playing at a place like this, the fans are great,” Hill said. “It’s crazy in there.”

Now riding a three-game losing streak, UNLV is 11-10 on the season and 5-5 in Mountain West play.

D.J. Thomas tied a season high with 22 points to lead the Scarlet and Gray. Utah State had five players finish in double figures, paced by Albury’s 16.

UNLV’s home losses to Wyoming and New Mexico last week officially drew a combined attendance of 10,843, though there were fewer actually in the stands.

Despite the final score on Wednesday, Kruger saluted his team for standing strong in such an adverse atmosphere.

“I’m not a moral victory guy,” Kruger said. “I won’t sleep, I won’t eat, I won’t feel good about it. But when I watch the film I think I’m going to take the positives of the things we did well, and the things we can build on, because we’ve proven we’re a good team in this conference.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.