Fresno State pulls away late from UNLV in 83-65 victory
UNLV falls to Fresno State
UNLV Rebels forward Nick Blair (20) goes up for a shot against Fresno State Bulldogs guard New Williams (0) only to get called for traveling during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) looks for an open teammate during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Noah Robotham (5) drives the ball around Fresno State Bulldogs guard Noah Blackwell (55) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) takes a shot during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) drives the ball around Fresno State Bulldogs forward Sam Bittner (20) of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Fresno State Bulldogs guard New Williams (0) and guard Noah Blackwell (55) react to a call while UNLV Rebels forward Nick Blair (20) walks past during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Fresno State Bulldogs forward Nate Grimes (32) takes a shot over UNLV Rebels forward Nick Blair (20) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) dunks the ball over Fresno State Bulldogs guard Braxton Huggins (4) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) drives the ball to the basket during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Fresno State Bulldogs guard Deshon Taylor (21) looks for a way around UNLV Rebels guard Noah Robotham (5) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Fresno State Bulldogs guard Braxton Huggins (4) is double teamed by UNLV Rebels forward Joel Ntambwe (24) and forward Cheikh Mbacke Diong (34) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Justin Hutson talks to his players during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Noah Robotham (5) dribbles the ball down the court during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Trey Woodbury (22) takes a three-point shot during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) shoots the ball over Fresno State Bulldogs forward Nate Grimes (32) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) starts a play while being guarded by Fresno State Bulldogs guard New Williams (0) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) dribbles the ball toward the net during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Justin Hutson, left, reacts to a call during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels forward Cheikh Mbacke Diong (34) dunks the ball during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Fresno State Bulldogs forward Nate Grimes (32) and UNLV Rebels forward Cheikh Mbacke Diong (34) battle for a rebound during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) draws a foul while taking a shot during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) finds a way around Fresno State Bulldogs guard Noah Blackwell (55) during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) goes up for a shot over Fresno State Bulldogs guard Noah Blackwell (55) of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels head coach Marvin Menzies walks the sideline during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) gets high fives after being taken off the court during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels head coach Marvin Menzies reacts to a play during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) takes a three-point-shot over Fresno State Bulldogs forward Sam Bittner (20) of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Amauri Hardy (3) leads UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) and UNLV Rebels forward Joel Ntambwe (24) down the the court on an offensive possession during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) shoots the ball over Fresno State Bulldogs guard Braxton Huggins (4) during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels forward Nick Blair (20) goes for a rebound over Fresno State Bulldogs forward Sam Bittner (20) and guard Braxton Huggins (4) during the second half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Fresno State Bulldogs guard New Williams (0) fouls UNLV Rebels guard Trey Woodbury (22) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1) dunks the ball during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels guard Noah Robotham (5) dribbles the ball around the edge during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels forward Joel Ntambwe (24) catches a pass with one hand while being guarded by Fresno State Bulldogs forward Sam Bittner (20) during the first half of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
UNLV Rebels forward Cheikh Mbacke Diong (34) gets ready to jump for the tip off before the start of a game between UNLV and Fresno State at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fresno State won 83-65. Brett Le Blanc Las Vegas Review-Journal
Updated February 9, 2019 - 6:38 pm
UNLV fell behind early, but repeatedly fought back in the second half, twice getting to within five points.
But every time the Rebels surged, Fresno State responded.
The Bulldogs finally pulled away down the stretch to beat the Rebels 83-65 on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Fresno State (17-6, 8-3 Mountain West) remained in third place in the conference, denying UNLV (12-11, 6-5) a chance to tie for the spot. The Rebels have lost four of their past five games, each by at least 17 points.
The Bulldogs used an 11-2 run to take a 74-59 lead with 4:05 left and assume control. Braxton Huggins scored nine of the Bulldogs’ points in that stretch, making two 3-pointers and a layup. He finished with 31 points.
Former Desert Pines High School player Nate Grimes totaled 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Fresno State made 15 of 29 3-pointers and shot 53.7 percent overall.
“They made some tough shots tonight,” said UNLV guard Noah Robotham, who had eight points and seven assists. “Huggins made a lot of tough shots. Deshon Taylor (18 points) made some tough shots. But (allowing) 15 for 29 is not going to win any games.”
The Bulldogs also dominated on the boards, outrebounding UNLV 35-24.
“They were real physical,” said UNLV forward Mbacke Diong, who scored 12 points. “We tried to keep them off the glass, and they were boxing us out good.”
Kris Clyburn led UNLV with 15 points. The Rebels made only 3 of 15 3-pointers, though they shot 48.1 percent overall. They also made just 10 of 19 free throws.
Fresno State led almost the entire game, using a strong first half to take a 45-33 lead. The Rebels rallied several times, coming as close as 53-48 and 55-50, the latter with 12:16 remaining.
Plenty of time to complete the comeback.
UNLV, though, never got closer.
“It was disappointing,” UNLV coach Marvin Menzies said. “You have frustration, but you always want to see your guys get better, and so I truly saw some development in where we were moving on the floor defensively, but it was only in spurts.”
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Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.
