UNLV fans stand up and cheer the team on as they close the score with San Diego State during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, January 30, 2016.
Published Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 | 6 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 | 9:32 p.m.
UNLV 102, UNR 91 OT
Game over
Pat McCaw hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to send the game to overtime, and once there the Rebels completely dominated UNR, pulling out a 102-91 victory tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center.
UNR's Marqueze Coleman hit a 3-pointer in the final three seconds of regulation for what seemed like a game-winner, similar to what he did last year at the Mack. But McCaw drilled the desperation 3-pointer and UNLV controlled every aspect of overtime. McCaw finished with 25 points, 18 rebounds and five assists.
The lead went back and forth in the final 10 minutes of regulation, but it was UNR that seemed to be in the most control. That was the complete opposite in overtime, where the Rebels scored 22 points. UNLV shot 45.2 percent for the game and overcame the absence of sophomore Dwayne Morgan, who went down with a shoulder injury at today's shootaround.
Check lasvegassun.com later tonight for a full report from the Rebels' victory, which is big because it gives them a chance to get a bye in the Mountain West tournament.
The Rebels only have two regular-season games left in the Thomas & Mack Center, and how they perform could determine how many more they play here in the postseason.
UNLV (15-12, 6-8) tips off at 7 p.m. against UNR (16-9, 8-5) at the Mack. The game will air on CBS Sports Network.
The Rebels are currently sixth in the Mountain West standings, two games behind Boise State. The top five teams get a bye in the tournament, so UNLV’s only chance to avoid having to win four games in four days is to make a run in these final four games.
UNLV plays at Boise State on Tuesday, so the Rebels will have a chance to cut into that deficit, but the only way they can have a chance to make this work is taking care of business at home. The Rebels host Wyoming next Saturday, and if that game marks a three-game winning streak then UNLV just might be able to pull off a run in the conference tournament.
But if UNLV slips up tonight that chance will disappear before it ever really had a chance to get going.
Prediction: I originally had this as a slim UNLV victory, but with Morgan out I'm going to the other side. UNR 69, UNLV 64
Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.
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