UNLV defeats Fresno St 84-72

UNLV Edges Fresno State with Comeback Victory at Home

LAS VEGAS, NV - In a thrilling matchup of conference foes, the host University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels erased a two-point deficit at halftime to secure an 84-72 victory over visiting Fresno State Bulldogs on Monday night.

The game's primary storyline was UNLV's dramatic comeback, as they trailed by just one point at intermission. The Rebels took control in the second half, outscoring their opponents 45-31 to build a 16-point lead with just under 10 minutes remaining. Although Fresno State attempted to mount a late rally, UNLV's superior depth and experience proved too much to overcome.

Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn was instrumental in the Rebels' comeback, scoring 28 points on 6-of-10 three-point shooting (60.0%) and grabbing seven rebounds. His performance was complemented by Jacob Bannarbie, who chipped in with five assists and five points off the bench.

In contrast, Fresno State's Wilson Jacques paced his team with 18 points on an impressive 66.7% shooting from the field. However, the Bulldogs struggled to contain UNLV's outside threat, allowing their opponents to hit 9-of-23 three-point attempts (39.0%).

The statistical disparity between the two teams was evident in the advanced metrics. UNLV boasted a true shooting percentage of 71.6%, while Fresno State's was just 51.6%. The Rebels also held a significant edge in offensive rebounding, grabbing 13 boards compared to their opponents' eight.

"We knew it would be a tough game, but we were able to adjust our strategy at halftime and make some key adjustments," UNLV head coach T.J. Otterbach said. "Our team showed great resilience and determination to come out on top."

The win improves UNLV's record in conference play and moves them into the mix for potential postseason contention. For Fresno State, the loss serves as a setback in their quest for a strong season.

Box Score

UNLV Rebels:

* Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn (28 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists)

* Jacob Bannarbie (5 assists, 5 points)

* (Other players' stats not provided)

Fresno State Bulldogs:

* Wilson Jacques (18 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist)

* Zaon Collins (7 assists, 15 points)

* (Other players' stats not provided)