UNLV guard Bryce Hamilton (13) works for an opening to the basket against SMU guard Jalen Smith (2) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU forward Jahmar Young Jr., left, looks on as UNLV forward Royce Hamm Jr. (14) dunks in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Jordan McCabe (5) takes a shot as SMU guard Kendric Davis (3) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Keshon Gilbert (10) goes up for a shot between SMU’s Jalen Smith (2) and Tristan Clark, center right, as Zach Nutall, left, and David Muoka, right, look on in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU guard Kendric Davis, left, defends as UNLV guard Keshon Gilbert (10) positions for a shot in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Bryce Hamilton (13) drives to the basket for a shot as SMU guard Michael Weathers (23) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Keshon Gilbert (10) leaps to the basket for a shot as SMU’s Tristan Clark, right, defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV forward Royce Hamm Jr. (14) and SMU forward Jahmar Young Jr., center right, compete for control of the ball as Keshon Gilbert, left, and Zach Nutall, right, look on in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Bryce Hamilton (13) goes up for a shot after getting through SMU defenders Zhuric Phelps (1), Zach Nutall (10), Jalen Smith (2) and Michael Weathers, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Bryce Hamilton (13) goes up for a shot after getting through SMU defenders Zhuric Phelps (1), Zach Nutall (10), Jalen Smith (2) and Michael Weathers, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Jordan McCabe, left, defends as SMU guard Emmanuel Bandoumel, right, works to the basket for a shot in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU guard Michael Weathers (23) leaps to the basket to dunk after getting past UNLV forward Royce Hamm Jr. (14) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Jordan McCabe, left, defends as SMU forward Marcus Weathers (50) works to take a shot in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Bryce Hamilton (13) and Trey Hurlburt, center right, defend as SMU forward Isiah Jasey (22) goes up for a shot in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU guard Kendric Davis (3) takes a shot between UNLV ‘s Royce Hamm Jr. (14) and Keshon Gilbert (10) as forward Isiah Jasey (22) looks on in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Michael Nuga (1) and guard Jordan McCabe (5) defend as SMU guard Emmanuel Bandoumel (5) works to the basket for a shot in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger directs his team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against SMU in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU guard Michael Weathers (23) goes up to dunk after getting past UNLV forward Royce Hamm Jr. (14) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU head coach Tim Jankovich directs his team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU forward Tristan Clark dunks in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU guard Emmanuel Bandoumel dives to reach a loose ball in front of UNLV’s Justin Webster, left, and Jordan McCabe (5) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
SMU guard Michael Weathers dunks and forward Tristan Clark (25) celebrates as UNLV ‘s Justin Webster (2), Royce Hamm Jr. (14) and Josh Baker (22) look on in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV guard Michael Nuga (1) drives to the basket for a shot as SMU’s Zach Nutall (10) and Emmanuel Bandoumel (5) defend in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UNLV’s basketball team was relying on its defense this season while reconfiguring an offense featuring 10 new scholarship players. And on Wednesday, the Rebels continued to struggle to score.
But this time, they couldn’t stop Southern Methodist, either.
UNLV (4-4) missed 24 of its first 33 shots at Moody Coliseum in Dallas and concluded its first road outing with an 83-64 loss. The offense stagnated amid a diet of inefficient, contested shots and errant open ones. All while the Mustangs utilized crisp ball and player movement to convert 60 percent of their field goals and 45 percent of their 3-pointers.
“We just didn’t seem to be quite on the same page. We just weren’t as sharp as we’d been,” Rebels coach Kevin Kruger told reporters. “I don’t think we did ourselves any favors by letting them gain some confidence early.”
This much is obvious: UNLV’s offense remains a work in progress. Senior wing Bryce Hamilton remains the only consistent shot creator, forcing the Rebels to rely on fluid offensive execution to generate quality shots on a consistent basis.
They do so on occasion. They were patient enough in the first half to generate open catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. But sound defensive game plans concede those shots to the Rebels, who were making 27.2 percent of their triples against Division I competition before meeting Southern Methodist.
And UNLV shot 2 of 10 from 3-point range in the first half en route to a 44-21 halftime deficit.
The Mustangs (6-3) had no such issue, thanks to point guard Kendric Davis and his 18 points, eight assists and savvy playmaking ability. The senior sparked an unselfish effort predicated on passing, cutting and pace against a defense that had held its previous seven opponents to 38.2 percent shooting.
On-ball defenders struggled to contain drives and help defenders were late in their rotations, leaving shooters free on the perimeter. The Rebels trailed by as many as 28. The deficit was far too large to undo despite a better second half.
Kruger told reporters that UNLV’s shot selection may have affected its defense, especially in transition.
“You’ve got four teammates out there that if it’s not within the flow of what they’re used to, it surprises them,” Kruger said. “When you take an unexpected shot, it doesn’t just hurt that possession. It carries over to defense with matchups and spacing. And getting set.”
Senior big man Royce Hamm led the Rebels with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
