In a dramatic turn of events in college basketball, the UNLV men's basketball team, with a record of 14-10 and 7-5 in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), experienced a significant loss against Nevada, with a final score of 69-66, marking the end of their five-game winning streak. The game saw UNLV leading by nine points with just five minutes left on the clock. However, Nevada, with a record of 20-6 and 7-5 in the MWC, mounted a remarkable comeback, ending the game on a 16-4 run, fueled by a late 10-0 surge. This victory was crucial for Nevada's NCAA Tournament hopes, while it was a disappointing collapse for UNLV, who struggled with key free throws towards the game's end. Nevada had a massive edge on the glass, outrebounding UNLV 36-17. Dedan Thomas Jr. stood out for UNLV with 19 points, despite missing crucial free throws late in the game. This loss affected UNLV's standing in the MWC, dropping them from third to seventh place.
FINAL UNLV 72 Air Force 43 Rebels controlled from early and never looked back as they avenged a 32-point loss to the Falcons last month. Rob Whaley Jr. had 15 points UNLV dominates inside, returns favor to Air Force with blowout win https://t.co/2pBNaJObEF via @reviewjournal
The UNLV men’s basketball team rolled to a win at Air Force on Wednesday night in the teams’ first meeting since the Rebels’ 32-point home loss to the Falcons last month. https://t.co/yejVleh1DO
UNLV picks up an expected 72-43 win at Air Force to keep up with the pack in the Mountain West https://t.co/8HvTUVEVmY
Final: UNLV 72, Air Force 43. Rob Whaley posts 15 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes, helping UNLV to a 38-22 advantage in points in the paint. Scarlet and Gray now 15-10 overall and 8-5 in MWC. They move up a spot in the standings, now in sixth place.
Halftime: UNLV 37, Air Force 24. UNLV holds AFA to 37.0 percent shooting in the half, including 4-of-18 from 3-point range. Much better than the 90 points they allowed in the first meeting. Keylan Boone has nine points, Rob Whaley has seven points and six rebounds.
Rob Whaley has a couple inside finishes and Kalib Boone has a pair of dunks to give UNLV's offense some life. At the other end, Air Force is 2-of-8 from 3-point range and 3-of-4 inside the arc. Modest lead, but UNLV will take it. UNLV 14, Air Force 12 w/ 11:28 left in half.
UNLV loses late lead, falls to UNR https://t.co/R0sCcUkF3J
From The Mack: UNLV men's hoops fail to close the deal vs Nevada, Reno Final: Nevada 69 UNLV 66 Lady Rebels defeat Air Force, 95-68; Lady Rebels are 22-2.
Final: UNR 69, UNLV 66. Tough, tough loss for UNLV. Lead by nine with five minutes left, can't get a stop the rest of the way. D.J. Thomas superlative but misses two key free throws in the final minute. UNLV's win streak is snapped. They drop from No. 3 to No. 7 in the MWC.
FINAL UNR 69 UNLV 66 A late Keylan Boone 3-pointer at the buzzer is way off and UNLV sees its five-game winning streak snapped. Dedan Thomas Jr. had 19 points for UNLV, but missed a pair of late free throws. UNLV falls to 14-10, 7-5 in MW #UNLVMBB
Great comeback from Nevada. Huge win for NCAA Tournament hopes. But man what a collapse from UNLV. Led 62-53 with 5:30 left, couldn’t make key free throws late. Nevada ended the game on a 16-4 run. Wow. https://t.co/Oee0a7H6Zj
Final: Nevada 69, UNLV 66 Nevada (20-6, 7-5 MW) uses a late 10-0 run to rally back and snap a four-game skid against UNLV. Dedan Thomas (17 points, eight assists) played well but missed two huge free throws with 20 seconds left. Nevada had massive edge on the glass (36-17).
Timeout UNLV. UNR leads 65-64 with 28.7 left and 16 seconds on the shot clock.
UNLV led by nine points with five minutes left, but UNR has scored the last 10 points to take the lead. I feel confident in saying this one will be decided at the free-throw line. UNR 63, UNLV 62 w/ 1:33 remaining.
UNLV 62 UNR 55 3:47 left in the second half. Rebels are scoreless the last 1:45, but both teams are struggling to generate offense the last few minutes.
At The Mack: UNLV 56 Nevada 49 7 minutes left in 2nd half
Halftime: UNLV 36, UNR 28. D.J. Thomas slithers into the paint and rolls in a floater at the buzzer. UNLV closes the half on a 9-0 run. Honestly, I thought UNLV got some bad breaks or the lead could be even greater. Thomas has 10 points and four assists. Keylan Boone has 11.
UNLV 34 Nevada 28 w/ 23 seconds left in first half.
UNLV's 7 point lead is down to 1 point in first half. UNLV 27 Nevada 26 3:15 to go in first half
UNLV takes 7 point lead on Nevada in first half.
UNLV and Nevada tied at 16 midway through first half.
UNLV is really bothering UNR on the defensive end. Multiple deflections and five turnovers forced already. At the other end, Keylan Boone has a couple 3's and D.J. Thomas just finished off a 3-point play. UNLV 14, UNR 12 w/ 11:34 left in the first half.
Halftime Lady Rebels 49 Air Force 26 UNLV is shooting 61.8 percent from the field and has 38 points in the paint. #UNLVWBB