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ALBUQUERQUE, NM (AP) – EJ Harkless scored 25 factors, together with 21 within the second half, to steer UNLV to an 84-77 victory over No. 21 New Mexico on Saturday evening.
The Rebels (12-3, 1-2 Mountain West) had 4 different gamers in double figures, with Keyshawn Gilbert including 14.
“We put the ball in AJ’s fingers tonight and he made some actually good choices,” UNLV coach Kevin Krueger stated. “And he made issues occur.”
Maurice Udese had 22 with 13 rebounds to steer the Lobos (14-2, 2-2) and Jamal Mashburn Jr. had 19, however star guard Jalen Home was held scoreless within the second half, ending with 12.
Harkless added six boards, 5 assists and was 7-for-7 from the foul line.
New Mexico scored the primary eight factors of the sport, holding off the Rebels for the primary three minutes.
“To be extra affected person,” Kruger stated, he instructed his workforce. “We have been speaking about that. They bought us up to the mark actually early. It was a shootout within the first 4 minutes there they usually scored numerous factors.”
Trailing 43-38 on the half, UNLV opened the second half with a 9-0 run to take its first lead of the sport, which finally grew to 63-55 on a layup by Home. .
“Completely unhealthy, unhealthy begin within the second half,” Lobos coach Richard Pitino stated. “9-0 rating. We tried to claw. We have been actually, actually shut. We simply could not get by the pile. You simply should attempt to not really feel it. We have been completely not able to go firstly of the second half. And that is on me. Now we have to be higher popping out of the break.”
BIG PICTURE
The query for New Mexico was whether or not it might bounce again from its first lack of the yr after beginning 14-0 at Fresno State on Tuesday. The Lobos did not reply effectively to the problem, trailing for a lot of the second half after main your complete first half.
Coming off a disappointing begin to convention play, UNLV turned to its defensive prowess because it entered the sport main the nation in turnover margin (8.0) and second in turnovers pressured per sport (20.7) whereas holding opponents to 64.5 factors. Though the numbers have been down for the Rebels, they produced 21 factors off turnovers.
HOUSE CALLS
It took a workforce effort to carry the dynamic Home scoreless within the second half, Krueger stated.
“We did lots higher within the second half, having aggressive switches,” he stated. “There have been only a few occasions the place we did not come collectively and talk and ensure we have been in entrance of the ball. With a man like Home, as quick as he’s, and his instincts are the place it is at, any mistake you make, he can capitalize on it. And I feel the fellows did a extremely good job of toughing out seems and retaining his fingers up however not giving him layups or free throws.”
SECOND HALF CHANCES!
“They have been nice offensively and we have been fairly unhealthy defensively within the second half,” Pitino stated. “They went and bought it. Harkless was wonderful within the second half. They weathered the storm. We have been shut, however we could not fairly shut it out.”
NEXT
The Lobos host Oral Roberts on Monday to interchange an earlier sport at New Mexico State that was canceled following a taking pictures involving an Aggies participant and a New Mexico scholar the morning earlier than the sport.
The Rebels host Boise State on Wednesday with an opportunity to even their convention title.
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Extra AP School Basketball. https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
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