Dominating Early to Build a Cushion (Image Credits: Pexels)
Irvine, Calif. – The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels turned an unexpected NIT invitation into a gritty statement Tuesday night. They withstood a fierce second-half rally from host UC Irvine to secure a 75-72 victory in the tournament’s first round.[1][2] Coach Josh Pastner secured his first winning season at the helm in dramatic fashion, as the Rebels improved to 18-16 and advanced to face top-seeded Tulsa next.
Dominating Early to Build a Cushion
UNLV seized control from the opening tip. The Rebels launched a 19-4 run early in the first half, connecting on eight of their last nine shots and draining three of four from beyond the arc. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn fueled the surge with back-to-back 3-pointers, pushing the lead to 29-11.[3]
UC Irvine, one of the nation’s top field-goal percentage defenses, struggled mightily. The Anteaters missed their first 10 shots and did not score a field goal until 12:15 remained before halftime. UNLV held firm, entering the break up 37-24 after limiting UCI to 24.2 percent shooting.[2]
Anteaters’ Relentless Second-Half Push
Momentum shifted after the intermission. UC Irvine chipped away with a 13-3 spurt in under three minutes, drawing within three at 53-50. The Anteaters capitalized on UNLV’s 20 turnovers throughout the game, scoring 21 points off those miscues.[2]
The Rebels responded with thunderous dunks from Kimani Hamilton and Tyrin Jones, briefly restoring a nine-point edge at 73-64. Yet UCI refused to fade, closing with a 6-0 run to make it a three-point deficit with under a minute left. Tension mounted as both teams traded blows in a postseason atmosphere.
Clutch Blocks and Free Throws Seal It
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, despite four fouls, delivered when it mattered most. He swatted Jurian Dixon’s potential game-tying 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining. Tyrin Jones grabbed the rebound but missed the front end of a one-and-one.[1]
UNLV fouled Dixon, who sank both free throws to pull UCI within one at 73-72. Hamilton stepped up with 2.9 seconds left, calmly converting two free throws for the final margin. Derin Saran’s desperation half-court heave rimmed out at the buzzer, sending the Rebels through.[2]
Standout Efforts Fuel Pastner’s Vision
Five Rebels reached double figures in scoring, showcasing balanced attack. Kimani Hamilton paced the team with 14 points, four steals and two blocks. Tyrin Jones added 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks off the bench, while Howie Fleming Jr. nearly notched a double-double with 12 points and nine boards.[1]
UNLV shot an impressive 53.7 percent from the field and 46 percent from 3-point range against a stout defense. The Rebels also swatted 11 shots total. Guard Howie Fleming Jr. captured the team’s mindset: “This program’s really all about business. We’re trying to get it done.”[1]
- Kimani Hamilton: 14 points, 4 steals, 2 blocks
- Tyrin Jones: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks
- Issac Williams: 13 points (4-of-8 3PT)
- Howie Fleming Jr.: 12 points, 9 rebounds
- Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn: 12 points, key block
Pastner emphasized toughness postgame. “We’ve got to have toughness and grit and the mentality about that. We have tough guys, fighters,” he said. UC Irvine coach Russell Turner concurred: “UNLV was outstanding. Really competitive.”[1]
In Pastner’s debut campaign, UNLV accepted the NIT bid after a 17-16 regular season and a 1-1 Mountain West tournament showing. The road win over a Big West power that claimed eight of the last 13 conference titles signals progress.[4]
Key Takeaways
- UNLV clinched its first winning record since entering the NIT as an unseeded team.
- Defensive resilience overcame 20 turnovers and an 18-point lead evaporation.
- Next challenge: Road trip to No. 1 seed Tulsa in the second round.
This victory underscores a budding culture of resilience for the Rebels. As Pastner eyes portal recruits with “competitive excellence,” UNLV positions itself for West Coast contention. What do you think of the Rebels’ postseason start? Tell us in the comments.
