There was no mystery about the challenge UNLV faced Tuesday at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Missing its frontcourt, missing its point guard, and leaning on freshmen and wings to survive SEC size, the Rebels ran head-first into a top-10 Alabama team playing at full throttle.
The result was exactly what the matchup suggested: No. 8 Alabama 115, UNLV 76 on Day 2 of the Players Era Championship.
“Alabama is really good,” head coach Josh Pastner said afterward. “As limited as we are and as small as we are right now without our front-court guys, it was going to be an uphill battle from the start.”
Alabama (4-2) had six players in double figures, led by Aden Holloway’s 26 points and five threes, while the Tide punished UNLV everywhere: from three, at the rim, on the glass, and at the free-throw line.
UNLV (3-4) was led by Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn’s 25, Issac Williamson’s 18, and Kimani Hamilton’s 13 and 5 boards.
Where the Game Broke Open
UNLV actually hung around early.
Fleming’s dunk put the Rebels up 5-4.
Back-to-back threes from Williamson cut it to 16-15.
Hamilton’s turnaround made it 21-23, and UNLV trailed just 37-27 after another dunk.
But Alabama kept stacking waves of scoring. The Tide closed the half on a 14-9 burst to lead 51-36, then detonated in the second half with one of the most efficient shooting stretches UNLV has faced in years.
STAT OF THE GAME: Alabama shot 63.6% in the second half (21-of-33) and 50% from three (8-of-16) after halftime. They finished the night at 55.4% FG and 42.4% from three, hitting 14 total threes.
Once the Tide pushed the lead into the 20s, the avalanche never really slowed. London Jemison stepped out for two threes, Holloway kept drilling daggers, Bowen hit a second-chance three, and Mallette added a flurry of free throws. The Tide led by 41 with :47 left.
“We just don’t have an inside presence right now,” Pastner said. “Tyrin is a freshman playing our five spot when he’s really a three/four. Doing that against an SEC team, one of the best teams in the country, makes it tough.”
The Math That Doomed UNLV
This wasn’t about effort, UNLV only committed 10 turnovers, moved the ball, and continued to scrap. But the numbers explain everything.
Shooting / Efficiency
UNLV: 42.3% FG (30-of-71), 32.1% 3FG (9-of-28), 7-of-14 FT
Alabama: 55.4% FG (36-of-65), 42.4% 3FG (14-of-33), 29-of-35 FT
Free Throws
Alabama attempted 21 more free throws (35-14)
Alabama outscored UNLV 29-7 at the line
This alone accounts for 22 points of the margin.
Rebounding & Physicality
Alabama 48-UNLV 28 (+20)
Off. rebounds: 14-10
Second-chance points: 16-7
Bench Production
Alabama 38-UNLV 9
Despite all of that, UNLV still tied Alabama 42-42 in the paint. A credit to Gibbs-Lawhorn and Hamilton’s aggression and Tyrin Jones’ toughness out of position.
UNLV Performances
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn – 25 pts (9-19 FG, 3-8 3FG, 4-5 FT), 4 reb, 1 ast
Issac Williamson – 18 pts (6-16 FG, 4-10 3FG), 2 reb, 2 ast
Kimani Hamilton – 13 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast
Howie Fleming – 7 pts, 4 reb
Al Green – 7 pts on 3-of-5 shooting
Tyrin Jones – 4 pts, 3 reb, 6 assists while playing out of position at the 5
Ladji Dembele – 10 minutes, 2 rebounds, still working back into condition
Pastner emphasized that names not on tonight’s box score may matter more long-term.
“We recruited Myles Che to be our starting point guard. Emmanuel Stephen to be our starting center. Jacob Bannarbie was playing great. We’re just missing so much size. When we get healthy, we’re gonna be a good basketball team.”
Alabama Standouts
Aden Holloway – 26 pts, 5 threes, 4 ast
Houston Mallette – 19 pts, 4 threes, 5-5 FT
London Jemison – 18 pts, 2 threes, 6-7 FT
Amari Allen – 13 pts, 6 assists, 5 reb
Labaron Philon – 13 pts, 6-10 FG
Taylor Bowen – 12 pts, 7 reb, 5-5 FT
Aiden Sherrell – 8 rebounds
Perspective, Injuries, and What’s Next
Pastner called this the most injury-hit month of his entire coaching career.
“We’ve never dealt with this many injuries,” he said. “I’m hoping December 20, when we open league play vs. Fresno State.. is when we finally have a full roster.”
He also confirmed Che is progressing but still out until late December or early January, depending on how the foot heals.
Despite the lopsided score, Pastner praised the players grinding through expanded roles.
“Our guys are competing and giving everything they can. They’re worn out a little bit because we’re putting a lot on them. But the more minutes they play, Tyrin, Issac, Dre, the better we’ll be by the time we get to conference.”
Up Next
UNLV closes the Players Era with a Thursday matchup:
UNLV vs. Rutgers
Thursday, Nov. 27 – 1:30 PM
Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay
The goal between now and then? Flush Alabama, steal some rest, keep stacking experience, and hope the injury list finally stops growing.
