Bryce Hamilton, Donovan Williams power UNLV past Hartford
UNLV senior wing Bryce Hamilton was rather satisfied after scoring a season-high 33 points in a 95-78 victory over Hartford on Saturday at Michelob Ultra Arena.
And after watching teammate Donovan Williams score a career-high 32.
“It’s amazing,” Hamilton said of the junior Texas transfer’s outing. “He’s been through a lot of ups and downs. I’m just very happy for him to have his moment. He played a great game today. And we’re going to expect much more throughout the season.”
Hamilton and Williams powered the Rebels (6-5) to their highest scoring and most efficient offensive output of the season, combining to convert 22 of 33 field goals to buoy a blowout victory before a lively crowd of 3,257. Hamilton hadn’t eclipsed the 30-point plateau since Jan. 18, 2020, when he scored a career-high 35 against New Mexico.
Williams scored his previous career high of 15 on Nov. 15 against North Dakota State.
“The coaching staff has been very strict on us in terms of shot selection,” Williams said. “Now we’re starting to turn that corner. Instead of taking midrange shots or contested jump shots, we’re putting our head down and we’re actually attacking the rim. We’re forcing defenses to move. We’re forcing them to be in a position that they don’t really want to be in.”
UNLV coach Kevin Kruger and his assistant coaches have belabored the importance of shot selection all season, and the Rebels have responded the past two games with crisp passing, cutting and screening. Hamilton hasn’t settled for the type of long two-pointers that he can always create and has focused instead on attacking the basket and spotting up for catch-and-shoot 3-point opportunities.
He had five layups Saturday and four 3-pointers, all of which were open and assisted by a teammate.
Williams followed a similar script, converting seven shots in the paint and three catch-and-shoot 3-pointers — along with 9 of 15 free throws.
“Our challenge to him is to continue to look, to hunt … catch-and-shoot three opportunities,” Kruger said. “When he catches it in a spot where he can get to the rim off one dribble, that just makes him even more of a threat.”
Senior point guard Jordan McCabe controlled the pace and tempo to equal his career high with 11 assists. The Rebels shot 51.9 percent from the field, 45.8 percent from 3-point range and averaged 1.2 points per possession — up from 0.868 this season, per Synergy Sports Technology.
Hamilton is averaging 25.3 points on 61.2 percent shooting in his past three games.
D.J. Mitchell led Hartford (1-8) with 19 points.
“The guys just did a great job — as much as anything — of being patient and getting the ball moving side to side,” Kruger said. “Even the good defensive teams at any level, it’s no fun to go side-to-side and guard multiple actions. … At the same time, they were a threat the whole possession. When you can do that offensively, then you’ve got a chance.”
Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.
