UNLV Squeaks Past Fresno State, 68-67

A lot of second half points.

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UNLV gets a needed MW win

UNLV (11-13,7-6 MW) went to battle with Fresno State (8-15, 4-8 MW) in a rematch of both teams’ first conference game way back in December. In that double-overtime thriller UNLV picked up the victory 81-80.

The Rebels broke their losing streak picking up their 7th conference win of the season. Winning against Fresno State 68-67.

The second time around Fresno State got out to a hot start thanks in part to Orlando Robinson who scored 10 of the bulldogs first 12 points. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 12-2 lead over the Rebels. UNLV went 1-10 from the field to open the game.

When Coach Otzelberger made a few substitutions that’s when the tide started to turn for the Rebels. Jonah Antonio came off the bench and knocked down a three that got the score to 16-8. Donnie Tillman, Elijah Mitrou-Long, and Vitaliy Shibel also contributed off the bench. UNLV stepped up on the defensive end and held Fresno State scoreless for five minutes and got back into the game.

The first half for both teams was an offensive struggle and ended 23-22 in favor of Fresno State.

The second half saw UNLV continue to be aggressive on defense forcing three turnovers to start the half. The Rebels took the lead early in the half but from there the action was back and forth with 10 lead changes in the half.

Coach T.J. Otzelberger got his first technical foul as the Rebels head coach. The call in question was a charge called on Donnie Tillman. Coach Otzelberger used this moment to voice his frustrations and the crowd seeing his fire got the hometown fans behind the team.

Noah Blackwell hit a three with 54 seconds to go in the game to give the bulldogs a 67-64 lead. The Runnin’ Rebels came right back with Amauri Hardy making a layup at the rim cutting the lead down to one.

After a missed three by New Williams UNLV had a chance to win the game and it was the hometown kid Marvin Williams who made his first basket of the game by banking in a jump shot fading away while driving towards the baseline. That shot gave the Rebels a 68-67 lead with 0.05 left on the clock.

Amauri Hardy led the way for the Rebels with 18 points. Bryce Hamilton was right behind him with 17 of his own.

UP Next: For UNLV their next game is against in-state rival Nevada (15-10) or as they like to call them UNR. Nevada is coming off a win against SJSU 95-77. That game will be held inside the Thomas&Mack Arena.

For Fresno State, their next matchup is against SJSU (7-17). Fresno has a one game lead on SJSU in conference play. That game will take place in San Jose.