Camper Jr.’s 32-point night crushes UNLV in 89–76 loss

UNLV needed a rivalry road win after losing two straight, and with the Mountain West race getting tighter, every possession mattered. Instead, the game turned into a race that UNLV was trying to crawl back from. Nevada’s transition offense, second-chance opportunities, and a masterclass from Nevada guard Corey Camper Jr. got the Wolf Pack the 89-76 win over UNLV.

The tone of the game was set from the tip. UNLV turned it over on two of its first three possessions, and Nevada took advantage and scored. Camper Jr. opened the scoring with a jumper after a shot clock violation from the Rebels, and then guard Vaughn Weems scored on a driving layup off a bad pass from UNLV guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn.

The Rebels couldn’t even settle before they were down 9-0, and with a sold-out student section in Reno, it took a lot of effort.

Gibbs-Lawhorn kept UNLV in the game. He scored 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting and connected on four threes. He provided a response to the Rebels whenever they needed it.

Despite his efforts, Nevada controlled the game. UNLV would go on a run, and then the Wolf Pack would answer right back. UNLV got the margin down to five near halftime as Gibbs-Lawhorn had a beautiful finish at the rim to make it 33-28 at halftime.

After halftime, the game slipped away for UNLV. Turnovers, second chances, and Nevada threes made a close game into a blowout, especially after Camper Jr. made the court his kingdom.

Camper Jr. scored 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including knocking down five threes. His biggest came in the second half, after Nevada forward Tayshawn Comer blocked guard Isaac Williamson, they went the other way, and Camper Jr. nailed a three to extend the Wolf Pack lead past double digits. 

The issue for the Rebels wasn’t offense; they were shooting 45.9% from the field and 42.3% from three. Forward Naas Cunningham had 13 points and hit four threes. However, the Rebels’ offense just wasn’t as efficient as the Wolf Pack’s. Nevada shot 58% from the field and an impressive 57.1% from three. 

Forward Elijah Price also had a spectacular night for the Wolf Pack, scoring 22 points and corralling 11 rebounds, giving Nevada another great scorer. Weems scored nine points and four assists as well for the Pack.

UNLV kept fighting, and there were flashes where the Rebels played good ball. Forward Kimani Hamilton brought energy off the bench, finishing with 9 points and 6 rebounds. 

But unfortunately for the Rebels, the separation was too much to overcome, and they were defeated 89-76. It is the Rebels’ third loss in a row. In the Mountain West, playing on the road is very important, and a run can become something too much to come back from, and that’s what happened Friday night.

UNLV continues the road trip heading to Fresno to take on Fresno State on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd at 8:00 PM.