UNLV stuns Utah State in Logan, pulls off 86–76 road upset

UNLV walked into Logan on Tuesday night as 16-point underdogs against a Utah State team that came in rolling with a 15-2 record and a 6-1 record in Mountain West play. And initially, it looked like the Rebels were out of their depth. 

UNLV opened the game with empty trips and saw Utah State jump to a 9-0 lead. The Rebels didn’t panic, though, thanks to a great effort from Kimani Hamilton, who scored the first points on a second-chance tip-in, and that started to flip the momentum UNLV’s way. Hamilton fouled out later in the game, but finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn hit a three, and then Howie Fleming Jr. followed with another, and the game that was doomed for a blowout became knotted up at 12. Gibbs-Lawhorn led UNLV with 21 points, going 8-of-12 from the field and 3-of-5 from deep. 

The Rebels took the lead late in the half. Issac Williamson hit a three-pointer to put the Rebels up 33-30 and had the lead until Utah State tied it at the free-throw line before halftime. 

UNLV took the lead back right after the intermission, but Utah State went on a big run. There were two turnovers and a five-second violation that turned into Utah State transition buckets, including a fastbreak dunk by Adlan Elamin. This led to a 10-0 run, giving the Aggies a 49-41 lead. 

That run forced the Rebels to chase the lead back, and that formula worked for the Runnin’ Rebs. 

With the crowd making all sorts of noise and the tide shifting the Aggies’ way, UNLV found ways to go to the foul line. The Rebels finished 21-of-25 at the stripe. Tyrin Jones was lights out from the charity stripe, connecting on 10-of-12 free throws, on his way to 20 points.

Gibbs-Lawhorn kept the shot-making alive, and Emmanuel Stephen’s activity inside the paint, hauling in 8 rebounds, helped UNLV survive the run from Utah State. 

With under six minutes to go, UNLV took back the lead, but Utah State immediately answered with a three-pointer from Drake Allen. Walter Brown then hit a corner three for UNLV to swing it back and give UNLV a 59-68, and after that, the Rebels never looked back.

Gibbs-Lawhorn hit a three to make it 78-73, and the Rebels slammed the door shut with great defense and excellent free-throw shooting. 

UNLV won with a final score of 86-76. 

The Rebels return to Las Vegas on Saturday, January 24th, to take on a red-hot San Diego State team that has won seven straight games. With positivity beaming throughout the entire team, there isn’t a better time to return home to play tough competition.