Next Game: at Air Force 1/16/2019 | 8:00 PM PT ESPNU

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (UNLVRebels.com) -

The UNLV men's basketball team defeated New Mexico 80-69 at The Pit on Tuesday night to run its Mountain West record to 3-0 for the first time in its history.

The last time the Runnin' Rebels (9-6, 3-0) won each of their first three conference games was during the 1998-99 season, their last in the Western Athletic Conference.

Four UNLV players scored in double figures against the Lobos, led by senior guard Kris Clyburn's career-high 25 points. Senior guard Noah Robotham contributed 14 points and tied his career high in assists with eight, while committing just one turnover. Sophomore guard Amauri Hardy and freshman forward Joel Ntambwe each added 12 points.

The Lobos (8-7, 2-1) were led by Vance Jackson's 14 points.

Runnin' Rebels WIN at The Pit! 3⃣-0⃣ to start conference play for the first time in 2⃣0⃣ years #UNLVmbb #BEaREBEL pic.twitter.com/TxUYlsnVXL — UNLV Men's Basketball (@TheRunninRebels) January 9, 2019

THE TURNING POINT: With a 69-67 lead with just under three minutes to play, the Runnin' Rebels closed the game on an 11-2 run.

STAT OF THE GAME: After shooting 42.9 percent from the field in the first half, UNLV made 57.1 percent of its shots in the second half (16 of 28).

RUNNIN' REBEL OF THE GAME: Clyburn was 8 of 13 from the field, including 2 of 2 on 3-pointers. He also made all seven of his free-throw attempts.

NOTES:

- Sophomore forward Mbacke Diong injured his ankle on the final play of the first half and did not return.

- UNLV trailed at the half for the third straight game, but ended up winning - also for the third straight game.

- Ntambwe scored in double figures for the eighth straight time.

- UNM shot 56.7 percent in the first half and took a 42-35 halftime lead with a 19-9 run.

- UNLV held the Lobos to just 24 percent shooting in the second half (6 of 25), including 1 of 10 on 3-pointers.

- UNLV is now 4-2 in its last six games at The Pit.

- UNLV has out-rebounded its opponent in all 15 games this season, including 34-29 against UNM.

- UNLV shot 50 percent for the game. It was the third time this season it has shot 50 percent or better from the field and is 3-0 in those games.

- UNLV made 85.7 percent of its free throws (18 of 21) and was 6 of 13 on 3-pointers (46.2 percent).

- UNLV outscored New Mexico 45-27 in the second half.

- UNLV scored 18 points on New Mexico's 11 turnovers, while the Lobos managed just four points on UNLV's 11 turnovers.

- UNLV led 40-30 in points in the paint and 21-10 in fast-break points.

- New Mexico's largest lead of the game was nine (late in the first half).

- There were 17 lead changes and nine ties throughout the game.

NEXT FOR THE RUNNIN' REBELS: UNLV has a bye this weekend and will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at Air Force. The 8 pm PT game will be televised on ESPNU.





- UNLV has made at least one 3-pointer in a NCAA-record 1,054 straight games.