Posted: Saturday, February 09, 2013 - 2/9/13
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The Runnin’ Rebels (18-6, 5-4 Mountain West) came in desperately needing a win after surprising losses to Boise State and at Fresno State. Though they shot just 37.1 percent (23 of 62) from the field, the Rebels were 9 of 22 (40.9 percent) from beyond the arc.
Bennett started the scoring with a 3-pointer less than a minute into the game, and the Rebels never relinquished the lead the entire game. Up 15-8 with 13:40 left in the first half, UNLV went on a 9-0 run while holding the Lobos scoreless for 5:31, until Alex Kirk scored at the 8:09 mark.
New Mexico would tighten the gap to 24-16, but the Rebels closed the first half on a 13-7 run to take a 37-23 halftime lead.
Both teams came out playing at a frenetic pace, as they combined for 11 turnovers in the first 8 minutes, mostly because of hustle and simply trying to execute plays. Altogether both teams committed 24 turnovers (New Mexico 13, UNLV 11).
UNLV, which led by as many 16 in the second half, came into the game limiting foes to 38.5 percent shooting overall and 29.5 from long range. The Rebels stepped it up defensively to stifle the Lobos to 33.9 percent shooting (21 of 62) and a meager 18.2 percent 4 of 22) from beyond the arc.
Bryce DeJean-Jones and Katin Reinhardt each scored 16 points for UNLV. Jones was 3 of 6 from 3-point range, and Reinhardt was 4 of 7. Anthony Marshall added 11 points for the Rebels.
Since the 3-point field goal was adopted by the NCAA in 1986-87, UNLV has converted at least one 3-pointer in all 863 games played, an NCAA Division I record.
The Lobos, who had established themselves as the team to beat in the Mountain West Conference during the first half of the season, came into Las Vegas sporting a gaudy 7-1 league mark, three games better than UNLV.
UNLV avenged an earlier clash in which the Lobos won 65-60 at The Pit on Jan. 9.
UNLV has now won 12 straight home games and 11 straight at the Thomas & Mack Center. In addition, the Rebels have won 31 of their last 32 regular-season games at the TMC and have won 13 straight regular-season home games against Mountain West foes.
Kirk scored 17 points to lead New Mexico (20-4, 7-2).
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