LOGAN, Utah -- UNLV erased a 16-point first-half deficit but fell short of completing the comeback in a 76-71 loss to Utah State on Wednesday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
The Rebels (11-10, 5-5) split the season series with the conference-leading Aggies (19-2, 9-1) after taking the first matchup in Las Vegas. Utah State, ranked fifth nationally in assists per game and leading the Mountain West in three-point percentage, showcased its ball movement early with assists on nine of its 13 first-half field goals.
Utah State controlled the glass early and dominated bench production, outscoring UNLV’s reserves 19-0 in the first half and 37-4 for the game. The Rebels also struggled in transition, failing to score a single fast-break point.
Despite the slow start, the Rebels clawed back and mounted a 12-1 run in the second half to tie the game at 56 with 5:50 to play. But in a pivotal sequence, UNLV’s Dedan Thomas Jr. missed the front end of a one-and-one with the Rebels trailing by one, and Utah State’s Mason Falsev drilled a three-pointer on the ensuing possession, shifting momentum back to the Aggies for good.
Utah State never relinquished its lead from that point, fending off UNLV’s late push with key free throws down the stretch.
Thomas Jr. led the Rebels with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting while adding six assists. Jaden Henley and Jalen Hill each contributed 16 points, with Henley grabbing six rebounds and tallying three assists and two steals. Hill added five rebounds and three steals.
However, shooting struggles plagued UNLV throughout. The Rebels managed just 4-of-20 from beyond the arc and shot 43% overall from the field.
Deyton Albury paced Utah State with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, delivering key buckets late to maintain the lead down the stretch. Drake Allen provided a major boost off the bench, scoring 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting in just 16 minutes.
The Rebels did manage to limit Ian Martinez, the Mountain West’s fifth-leading scorer, to just 10 points on 2-of-6 shooting, but six of those came from the free-throw line to seal the win in the final two minutes.
UNLV has now dropped three straight following back-to-back wins over Utah State and San Diego State. The Rebels, now at .500 in conference play, look to snap the skid Saturday against in-state rival UNR. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Lawlor Events Center in Reno.