UNLV loses in overtime to Arizona, 91-88
UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) shoots for a point against Arizona Wildcats forward Ira Lee (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels guard Jordan Johnson (24) dribbles the ball past Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
Arizona Wildcats guard Dylan Smith, left, and UNLV Rebels forward Cheickna Dembele (11) fight for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels guard Jordan Johnson (24) passes the ball past Arizona Wildcats defenders during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Anthony Smith (2) puts pressure on Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Anthony Smith (2) puts pressure on Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) takes a shot over Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) takes a shot over Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) dribbles past Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic (14) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Shakur Juiston (10) dunks the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
The UNLV cheerleaders lead the crowd during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcat at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) dunks again the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Cheickna Dembele (11) shoots over Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic (14) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV fans cheers on their team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV Rebels and Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) takes a shot over Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) takes a shot over Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) reaches for the loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels guard Jovan Mooring (30) drives the ball past Arizona Wildcats guard Brandon Randolph (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Cheickna Dembele (11) looks for a shot under pressure from Arizona Wildcats forward Ira Lee (11) and guard Allonzo Trier (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) shoots for a point against Arizona Wildcats forward Ira Lee (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Anthony Smith (2) carries the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels head coach Marvin Menzies talks to his players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Shakur Juiston (10) looks for the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV mascot Hey Reb hypes the crowd during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV Rebels and Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV mascot Hey Reb hypes the crowd during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV Rebels and Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV fans cheers on their team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV Rebels and Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV fans cheers on their team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV Rebels and Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV fans cheers on their team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV Rebels and Arizona Wildcats at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels forward Shakur Juiston (10) takes a shot over Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels guard Jordan Johnson (24) drives the ball against Arizona Wildcats guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV Rebels guard Jordan Johnson (24) dribbles the ball past Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph
UNLV's Kris Clyburn celebrates after sinking a 3-point shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
UNLV's Anthony Smith (2) and Shakur Juiston celebrate during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Arizona's Allonzo Trier (35) drives on UNLV's Anthony Smith during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Arizona's Alex Barcello drives past UNLV's Jovan Mooring during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Arizona's Allonzo Trier dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
UNLV's Shakur Juiston (10) blocks a shot from Arizona's Parker Jackson-Cartwright during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Updated December 6, 2017 - 8:46 pm
Saturday was throwback night, with UNLV playing a name opponent down to the end in a loud and crowded Thomas & Mack Center.
The Rebels just didn’t get the result they wanted, losing 91-88 in overtime to Arizona before an announced crowd of 14,579.
It was the second overtime loss in a row for the Rebels (6-2), who were beaten 77-68 at Northern Iowa on Wednesday.
“We lost an opportunity,” UNLV coach Marvin Menzies said. “However, there was growth. That’s what it’s all about, getting better. But it’s also about winning, and we fell a little short of our goal tonight. I think the community was proud of our effort and the fans that came and saw a good game competing against a top-10 caliber team.”
UNLV twice had chances to beat Arizona (5-3), but Jovan Mooring missed a 3-pointer at the end of regulation and Tervell Beck toward the end of overtime.
The main individual matchup didn’t disappoint, with UNLV’s Brandon McCoy finishing with 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting and 10 rebounds. Arizona’s Deandre Ayton totaled 28 points and 10 rebounds, and he put the Wildcats in front for good at 87-86 with 35 seconds left in overtime.
Former Findlay Prep star Allonzo Trier led Arizona with 29 points.
Shakur Juiston was the only Rebel besides McCoy to score in double figures, totaling 21 points to go with nine rebounds.
“All these kids came here to win, so we’ve got to tighten up some things, and we’ve got to keep growing, keep getting better,” Menzies said. “We need to take care of our decision-making a little bit better. It was better tonight than Northern Iowa, but it wasn’t what we needed.”
More Rebels: Follow all of our UNLV coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJRebels on Twitter.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.
