UNLV faced Mountain West No. 2 seed Utah State on Jan. 20, and plenty of fans expected an easy Aggies win. Instead, it turned into a nail-biter, with the Rebels pulling away late for an 86-76 victory.
Prior to the game, the Aggies were defending a 7-0 home record and a 6-1 mark in Mountain West play. UNLV entered with a 3-2 road record and a 4-2 conference record. With the win, the Rebels extended their winning streak to three games and handed Utah State its second straight loss.
The Rebels’ relentless energy set the tone and fueled their confidence. They held Utah State to 44.8 percent shooting and just 29.2 percent from 3-point range, as the Aggies went 7-of-24 beyond the arc.
While UNLV’s defense stood out, its offense was just as sharp, finishing at 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range. The Rebels’ 3-point shooting is often a deciding factor, with about 20 attempts per game, and this one followed that trend. They scored 21 of their 86 points from beyond the arc.
Furthermore, UNLV did not rely on just one player to carry the load. Five Rebels scored in double figures, including two who reached 20 points. Forward Tyrin Jones finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, while guard Dedan Thomas Jr. led the way with 21 points and 5 rebounds.
This win gave the Rebels a clear picture of how good they can be at their best. Next up is a matchup with Mountain West leader San Diego State on Jan. 24. The Aztecs are 7-0 in conference play, and UNLV will look to keep its January surge going with another upset bid.
Jesse Vanderveer is a basketball reporter and writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @JesseVanderveer22
