UNLV fell to New Mexico 75-73 on Saturday afternoon at home despite a late-game push.
The Runnin’ Rebels have dropped their last two games despite a complete shift in production against New Mexico. Dedan “DJ” Thomas Jr. led UNLV in scoring, finishing with 18 points and seven assists.
UNLV guard Julian Rishwain, a Florida transfer, notched 16 points and shot 50% from 3-point range.
UNLV (11-9, 5-4 MWC) started slow against New Mexico (17-4, 9-1 MWC), a recurring theme that has plagued the team’s success this season. New Mexico capitalized and jumped out to an early 8-2 lead.
An 8-2 run from UNLV put the Runnin’ Rebels within two points halfway through the first half.
It was a physical game between both teams, as they began trading shots. New Mexico kept a steady lead, but UNLV kept getting into the interior, drawing fouls and scoring in the paint.
UNLV forced six turnovers in the first half, most of those coming in the final minutes as the Runnin’ Rebels continued to chip away at the Lobos’ lead.
Thomas connected with Pape N’Diaye for an alley-oop dunk that sent the Thomas and Mack Center into a frenzy as UNLV went into halftime tied with New Mexico 39-39.
In the second half, the physicality on both ends continued. UNLV bigs Jeremiah Cherry and N’Diaye picked up their third fouls.
Despite the foul trouble, UNLV came out with the intensity that was lacking in its previous game against Wyoming.
Rishwain knocked down a 3-point shot to give the Runnin’ Rebels a 47-44 lead, their largest and only lead of the game.
New Mexico did not make it easy on UNLV. The Lobos outrebounded the Runnin’ Rebels 43-35, a constant woe UNLV has faced all season.
Late in the second half, New Mexico star Donovan Dent and Thomas exchanged points.
Dent made a contested layup on one side of the floor, and Thomas then pushed the ball, hitting a contested jump shot and scoring on the other side. The two exchanged shots before the media timeout, with the Lobos leading 66-63.
Thomas scored late in the second half, putting the Runnin’ Rebels within two points. The sophomore guard found Rishwain, who connected for a 3 to give UNLV a 71-70 lead.
Rishwain next possession went to the free-throw line going 1 for 2, extending the UNLV lead by two.
Dent in the second half seemed unstoppable. The junior down the stretch made shot after shot and hit crucial free throws. Dent was fouled and sent to the free-throw line to tie the game at 72.
Following a missed UNLV layup, Nelly Junior Joseph gave New Mexico a two-point lead after an offensive rebound and tipped in a shot.
The following UNLV possession, Thomas moved the ball before finding Rishwain, who pump faked, set his feet for a wide-open 3-point shot that did not fall.
A solid defensive stand from UNLV forcing a turnover was met with a late-game blunder. Jaden Henley passed the ball to Thomas, who tripped and turned it over to New Mexico in the late seconds of the game.
Thomas redeemed himself as the guard held Dent, and Jalen Hill stole the ball, giving UNLV another chance at redemption.
Rishwain missed another 3-point attempt, and UNLV grabbed the offensive rebound, finding Thomas in the final seconds.
Thomas drove to the basket, and New Mexcio fouled him with just a second left in the game. Thomas knocked the first shot down before New Mexico’s head coach Richard Pitino called timeout to ice the sophomore guard.
The tactic worked as Thomas missed the second free throw, forcing UNLV to foul with insufficient time left on the clock. New Mexico escaped Las Vegas with another conference win, maintaining its status atop the Mountain West.
Dent was the best player on the floor. The junior scored 34 points, six points shy of his career high. Dent shot 13 for 21 from the field and was lethal from mid-range, hitting tough shots down the stretch.
“Donovans a good player,” UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger said postgame. When asked how to defend Dent, Kruger replied, “There are thoughts of everyone.”
Thomas, seemingly upset after the game, did find some good coming out of the matchup.
“I feel like we fought pretty well, especially after that last game against Wyoming,” Thomas said. “I feel like we showed a lot of fight today.”
When asked about the missed free throw, Thomas replied, “I’ll be back in the gym tomorrow, knocking down 100 free throws.”
Rishwain came to the aid of his teammate postgame as well.
“At the end of every single practice, DJ and some other guys are always the last guys in the gym, and I know how serious he takes it,” Rishwain said. “I wouldn’t even blame it on DJ at the end, I think we all as a team missed some.”
The Runnin’ Rebels schedule does not get any easier. Despite last week’s grueling matchups, UNLV turns its focus to Utah State, as the Runnin’ Rebels gear up for a road trip to Logan, Utah.
UNLV is preparing for its second matchup against Utah State after defeating the Aggies in Las Vegas 65-62.
A quick turnaround for Kruger and Co. UNLV takes on Utah State on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast live on FS1.
