UNLV's depth too much for UW

Jan 25, 2013 - The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS -- Larry Nance Jr. and Leonard Washington did all they could.

But in the end, the two University of Wyoming forwards' production wasn't enough against a more-balanced attack from UNLV.

Nance and Washington combined for 29 points, but UNLV had three double-figure scorers and seven who got into the scoring column as it handed UW a 62-50 loss in front of 15,640 Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

UW (15-3 overall, 2-3 Mountain West) lost its 11th straight game at UNLV (16-4, 3-2), dating back to 2003.

Nance had a team-best 16 points and a career-high five steals. Washington had 13 points and seven rebounds and he tied a career-best with four blocked shots.

However, he was 4-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-8 from 3-point range.

UW's other seven players that saw minutes were a combined 9-of-25 from the field.

"I thought UNLV's size had an effect on us," said UW coach Larry Shyatt, whose team shot 41.7 percent from the field and only 3 of 16 from 3-point range.

UNLV went with a three-forward lineup and its two guards were between 6-foot-3 and 6-5. UW's three-guard lineup was between 5-10 and 6-2.

UNLV's size also was evident on the boards as it out-rebounded UW 34-20, which was a season-low in boards for the Cowboys.

"I can't fault our pass selection," Shyatt added. "At times I thought our shot selection wasn't what we wanted, but I have to credit their size and speed for that."

Nance and Washington were 9-of-18 from the field and scored 21 of UW's 25 first-half points. The Cowboys scored the first eight points of the game, and Nance scored eight of the team's first 10. Still, UW trailed 29-25 at the break as the Cowboys' other players were a combined 2-of-10 from the field.

Nance got only two shots in the second half.