The Runnin’ Rebels fell short to the Mustangs 64-83.
The Mustangs lead the Runnin’ Rebels 5-3 in their all-time series.
The Mustangs shot twice as well from the field and from beyond the arc. The Mustangs shot 60 percent from the field and 45 percent from three while the Runnin’ Rebels shot 38.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three.
The Runnin’ Rebels win the tip to begin the game. Royce Hamm Jr. drove to the basket but got fouled in the act of shooting. Hamm Jr. made one of two free throws.
The Mustangs opened the first half on a 9-3 run.
The Runnin’ Rebels turned defense into offense.
Mustang Marcus Weathers drove the ball in, but Justin Webster was there to cause the offensive foul. The Runnin’ Rebels had possession. Marvin Coleman found Bryce Hamilton in the corner for the three-pointer, 8-14.
The Mustang continued to drive the ball in the basket, extending their lead 25-10.
The Mustangs went on a 17-7 run, 17-42, with less than three minutes left in the first half.
With one minute to go, the Runnin’ Rebels rotated the ball beyond the arc. Keshon Gilbert drove to the basket and found Reece Brown under the basket for the easy layup.
The Runnin’ Rebels trailed 21-44 after the first half.
The Runnin’ Rebels started the second half on a bad possession, turning over the ball, the sixth of the night.
Bryce Hamilton dribbled the ball at the top of the arc and drilled the shot, 26-51, with 17:28 to go in the game.
The Runnin’ Rebels started the second half shooting three of five from beyond the arc and went on an 11-4 run, still trailing 37-55.
The Mustangs, again, stretched their lead to 20 points, 48-68, but the Runnin’ Rebels managed to cut the lead to 14 points, 62-76, with two minutes to go.
With 1:39 to go, Hamm Jr. drove to the basket, but the foul was called on the floor, so Hamm Jr. shot 1 for 1 free throw, sinking one of two, 64-78.
The Mustangs had 11 fast break points compared to the Runnin’ Rebel’s two fast breakpoints.
“We just didn’t seem to be on the same page and we weren’t as sharp as we have been,” head coach Kevin Kruger said. “A big focal point of this game was to get out early and get a good start. They have a lot of very good, talented players and are a very good team, but we didn’t do ourselves any favors by letting them get some confidence going early.
“We were taking shots out of rhythm and it is not just the person taking the shot, but you have four teammates out there that when it is not within the flow of what they are used to, it surprises them. I think that cost us.”
Hamm Jr. led the Runnin’ Rebels with 13 points while Hamilton and Webster had 12 points each.
Up Next
The Runnin’ Rebels will remain on the road to face the University of San Francisco Dons on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.
