Dedan Thomas Jr. led UNLV with a career-high 25 points and twins Keylan and Kalib Boone each made two late free throws to secure an 80-77 victory over No. 25 New Mexico on Saturday at Albuquerque, N.M.
New Mexico’s Donovan Dent made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left after Keylan Boone’s free throws with 4.9 seconds remaining.
With UNLV (13-9, 6-4 Mountain West) leading 78-77, Kalib Boone was fouled with 0.7 seconds remaining and made both free throws.
Thomas made 8 of 12 shots from the field.
Rob Whaley Jr. added 16 points for the Rebels, who have won four in a row and swept the season series against New Mexico (19-5, 7-4).
The Lobos were led by 20 points apiece from Dent and Jaelen House.
Whaley made a layup with two minutes left to put UNLV ahead 72-70.
House converted two free throws with 1:30 left to tie the game at 72.
Kalib Boone scored on a hook shot on the subsequent possession to put UNLV back ahead.
After a missed jumper by Jamal Mashburn Jr., Thomas was fouled.
He made both free throws to increase the Rebels’ lead to 76-72 with 23 seconds left.
Mustapha Amzil made a putback with 9.1 seconds left for New Mexico.
Keylan Boone followed with his free throws with 4.9 seconds left.
UNLV, which is 16-15 at The Pit, is the only team that has played in the Lobos’ arena at least three times that has a winning record there.
UNLV is 10-1 against New Mexico in the last 11 meetings.
The Lobos have lost consecutive games at The Pit after winning their first 11 home games this season.
UNLV scored the game’s first seven points and did not trail in the first half until JT Toppin’s three-point play with three seconds left gave New Mexico a 40-39 halftime lead.
UNLV outscored New Mexico 15-3 to take a 54-45 lead with 14:42 left.
The Lobos then scored the next 12 points to take a 57-54 lead with 11:20 remaining.
–Field Level Media