Rebels hold off Wyoming to win first conference game of season, 81-75

By GILBERT MANZANO LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

9 years ago

UNLV forward Christian Jones (20) drives towards the hoop during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV forward Christian Jones (20), from left, UNLV guard Jovan Mooring (30), and UNLV guard Jalen Poyser (5) was off of the court after defeating Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. UNLV won 81-75. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Kris Clyburn (1) shoots a layup during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. UNLV wins 81-75. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Jalen Poyser (5) shoots a layup during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. UNLV won 81-75. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Kris Clyburn (1) recovers a loose ball during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. UNLV won 81-75. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

Tyrell Green drives to the basket during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. UNLV wins 81-75. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV players cheer on their teammates during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. UNLV won 81-75. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Jovan Mooring (30) drives towards the hoop during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. UNLV wins 81-75. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV head coach Marvin Menzies speaks with UNLV guard Uche Ofoegbu (2) during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. UNLV wins 81-75. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV head coach Marvin Menzies reacts during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Jovan Mooring (30) is fouled during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Jalen Poyser (5) makes a shot against Wyoming forward Alan Herndon (5) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Jalen Poyser (5) drives towards the hoop during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Jovan Mooring (30) drives towards the hoop pass Wyoming guard Jeremy Lieberman (11) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Jalen Poyser (5) drives towards the hoop pass Wyoming forward Alan Herndon (5) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Kris Clyburn (1) grabs a rebound as Wyoming forward during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

UNLV guard Kris Clyburn (1) looks for a pass during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Wyoming at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Christian K. Lee/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chrisklee_jpeg

Marvin Menzies was committed to keeping a positive attitude, regardless of the numerous layups and dunks his UNLV squad gave up to Wyoming in Saturday’s Mountain West home opener.

No, it wasn’t because Menzies was in a festive New Year’s Eve mood. The UNLV coach was just pleased with the Rebels’ effort.

UNLV held on for an 81-75 victory over Wyoming before an announced crowd of 9,352 at the Thomas & Mack Center. Five Rebels scored in double figures as the team picked up its first Mountain West win, recovering from a poor performance Wednesday at Colorado State to open the conference schedule.

“That was really enjoyable, and not just because we won,” Menzies said. “Even had things not finished up with us not having the most points at the end of game, I still would have been very, very proud of our effort and bounce back in our play.”

UNLV (8-7, 1-1 MW) did test Menzies’ patience by allowing Wyoming (11-4, 1-1) to trim an eight-point lead to two with 33 seconds left.

But the Rebels weren’t going to kill Menzies’ vibe. UNLV converted its final eight free throws to ice the victory.

UNLV’s Jovan Mooring scored a team-high 17 points with seven assists and one turnover. Christian Jones (15), Tyrell Green (14), Jalen Poyser (14) and Uche Ofoegbu (12) also scored in double figures.

Justin James led the Cowboys with 17 points.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow @gmanzano24 on Twitter.