A Nail-Biting Moment Seals Historic Legacy (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)
Las Vegas – New Mexico Lobos handed the UNLV Rebels their worst home defeat of the season, winning 89-61 at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday night.[1][2]
A Nail-Biting Moment Seals Historic Legacy
The Rebels entered the contest carrying the NCAA’s longest streak of consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer, a remarkable run spanning 1,280 outings since the line’s introduction in the 1986-87 season.[1]
For nearly 28 minutes, tension mounted as UNLV missed every attempt from beyond the arc. The sparse crowd grew restless, with one fan voicing frustration amid the silence. Then, at the 11:46 mark of the second half, Al Green drained a crucial three, preserving the record and drawing sarcastic cheers from the stands.[1]
This narrow escape highlighted the streak’s fragility, yet it underscored UNLV’s deep-rooted tradition from the three-point era’s dawn.
Early Setback Derails Rebel Momentum
UNLV arrived off a three-game win streak snapped by San Diego State, hoping to rebound against a strong New Mexico squad. Instead, trouble struck immediately.
Freshman standout Tyrin Jones exited two minutes in after New Mexico opened a 4-0 lead; he returned to the bench in a shoulder brace and did not re-enter. The injury disrupted the Rebels’ rhythm early.[2][1]
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn battled foul trouble throughout, limiting his impact. No Rebel reached double figures in scoring, with Issac Williamson and Naas Cunningham each tallying nine points. Cunningham earned praise for his solid minutes amid the collapse.[1]
The team committed 16 turnovers, including sloppy passes in the second half that handed New Mexico easy opportunities.
Lobos Dominate with Balanced Firepower
New Mexico controlled the game from tip-off, shooting efficiently and exploiting UNLV’s defensive lapses. The Lobos improved to 17-4 overall and 8-2 in Mountain West play.[3]
Tomislav Buljan paced the visitors with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jake Hall added 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Uriah Tenette contributed 15 points, going perfect from the free-throw line.
- Buljan’s double-double anchored the paint.
- Hall’s hot hand stretched the floor.
- Tenette’s efficiency sealed key stretches.
UNLV shot just 37.3 percent from the field compared to New Mexico’s 50.8 percent, allowing open jumpers and layups at will.[4]
Pastner Doesn’t Sugarcoat the Defeat
Rebels coach Josh Pastner offered a stark postgame assessment. “We got our butts kicked,” he said. “Thank the good lord we made a 3-pointer, and I thought Naas Cunningham gave us some good minutes. Other than that, we were terrible.”[1]
The loss dropped UNLV to 10-10 overall and 5-4 in conference, extending a 12-year NCAA Tournament drought. Defensive breakdowns and rebounding woes proved costly against a poised Lobos team.
Despite the rout, the preserved streak offers a sliver of solace, reminding fans of UNLV’s storied shooting heritage.
| Team | Record (Overall/MWC) | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|
| UNLV | 10-10 / 5-4 | 1/? 3PT (streak: 1,280) |
| New Mexico | 17-4 / 8-2 | 50.8% FG |
Key Takeaways
- UNLV’s 1,280-game 3-point streak endures, thanks to Al Green’s timely shot.
- Tyrin Jones’ early shoulder injury hampered the Rebels’ offense.
- New Mexico’s top performers overwhelmed a turnover-prone UNLV squad.
With the Mountain West race tightening, UNLV faces a pivotal stretch ahead. What do you think of the Rebels’ chances to rebound? Tell us in the comments.
