Basketball Recap: Las Vegas Takes a Loss

Las Vegas was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They lost to the Laramie Plainsmen on the road by a 71-53 margin. While losing is never fun, the Wildcats can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 73rd in Nevada, while the Plainsmen are ranked sixth in Wyoming).

Despite the loss, Las Vegas still got an impressive performance from Tayshaun Jackson, who went 11 of 21 on his way to 26 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Amari Hinds, who posted four points and three steals.

Laramie had a senior duo take command as Gabe Sanchez went 6 of 8 from beyond the arc on his way to 22 points along with five assists and five boards and Neil Summers went 9 of 12 on his way to 21 points and eight rebounds. Those five assists gave Sanchez a new career-high. Brayden Mckinney was another key player, putting up ten points and eight assists.

Las Vegas' defeat dropped their record down to 2-8. As for Laramie, their record now sits at 5-2.

Las Vegas wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 66-23 win against Cheyenne on the 26th. As for Laramie, they will have some time to savor their victory since their next game is a little ways off: they'll take on Rock Springs at 7:30 p.m. on January 9, 2025. Laramie is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 65.7 points per game this season.