UNLV spent the first 12 minutes Friday night looking like a team that entered ExtraMile Arena late, but somehow the tide turned and the Rebels dominated behind a performance from guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn to rally for an 86-83 overtime victory.
Boise State built a 32-9 lead thanks to a barrage of 3-pointers, fast-break finishes and second-chance possessions. UNLV’s offense had no traction and turned the ball over many times. This led to a massive 23-point deficit that the Rebels had to overcome.
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The good thing about rebels is that they fight in the midst of storms. Gibbs-Lawhorn risked everything and the lights went out. He finished with 36 points and was 6 of 12 from deep. He was excellent at attacking space in transition and refused to let the margin define the rest of the game.
The best stretch for the Rebels before the break came when defense turned into offense. Tyrin Jones completed a dunk off a turnover, and then Gibbs-Lawhorn hit a three off another Bronco turnover. Walter Brown capped the run with a three-pointer to make the game 40-29 at halftime.
After halftime, that pace continued for the Rebels and the Broncos began to stop rumbling.
Kimani Hamilton was a consistent second option for the Rebels all night, scoring 13 points. He hit three-pointers when it mattered most for the Rebels. He hit a 3-pointer with six minutes left in the second half to cut Boise State’s lead to 64-62.
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However, Boise State constantly found answers. Drew Fielder was a problem for the Rebels. He scored 27 points on 9 of 14 shooting and 5 of 6 from deep. Parson Carmichael added 16 points for the Broncos and Dylan Andrews had 12 points with five assists.
Boise State had a big lead at the charity stripe. With 51 seconds left, Fielder made two free throws to increase the Broncos’ lead to three, 77-74.
Gibbs-Lawhorn was not eliminated.
With 38 seconds left, he hit a 3-pointer to tie the game with his sixth 3-pointer of the night. UNLV had a chance to win when Gibbs-Lawhorn threw another on a controversial foul call, but that forced overtime.
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In overtime, Boise State struck first with Fielder scoring in the paint. The Broncos were up 81-78 and seemed to be in control for the moment, until Isaac Williamson, who struggled most of the night shooting 2-for-7, hit a huge three-pointer to tie the game at 81-81.
Gibbs-Lawhorn followed with a go-ahead shot to give UNLV the lead.
The defining play came when UNLV extended its possession, Jones rose for a dunk that made the score 85-81 to end his 12-point night.
Andrews made two free throws for Boise State to make it a two-point game, but couldn’t make a layup after Williamson missed a free throw. That put the game in the hands of Brown, who went 1 of 2 from the stripe and secured the victory for the Rebels.
In a game that started out as a runaway game, UNLV emerged victorious 86-83 in overtime.