Live blog: Rebels rout New Mexico, 96-78

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 | 1:42 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 | 5:08 p.m.

Is the UNLV team for real? It's looking more like it with every passing game, as the Rebels just closed out New Mexico in convincing fashion, 99-78.

The win improves red-hot UNLV to 6-1 in Mountain West play (11-9 overall), and they'll head to UNR on Wednesday for another big game.

Marvin Coleman tallied a triple-double with 11 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, making him the first Rebel to do so since Mark Dickel in 1999. Bryce Hamilton was unstoppable as well, as he finished with a career-high 35 points on efficient 14-of-19 shooting. 

All told, five Rebels scored in double figures as New Mexico did not seem very interested in playing defense. UNLV shot 50.7 percent for the game and 53.7 percent in the second half.

UNLV looking to close out New Mexico late

UNLV is less than four minutes away from another big win, as the Rebels lead New Mexico, 80-68, with 3:54 to play.

Marvin Coleman has made an all-around impact, as he just converted a breakaway layup to record UNLV's first triple-double since Mark Dickel in 1999 (11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists). Bryce Hamilton has been spectacular on offense as well, leading the way with 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting.

UNLV is now shooting 44.1 percent in the second half while holding UNM to 37.5 percent.

Rebels lead New Mexico, 60-55

Bryce Hamilton just hit a 3-pointer to put UNLV up, 60-55, with 11:37 remaining.

Hamilton caught a pass in the corner, sized up his defender and let it fly. The sophomore guard now has a game-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting.

T.J. Otzelberger ended the first half playing a small lineup with Hamilton at forward and Donnie Tillman at center, and the Rebels have stuck with a smaller alignment so far in the second half, with either Tillman or Nick Blair at center in place of Mbacke Diong. The added spacing has made it difficult for New Mexico to defend on the perimeter; credit Otzelberger for the smart tactical move.

UNLV surges ahead of New Mexico at half, 43-40

Bryce Hamilton hit a twisting turnaround jumper just before the buzzer, and UNLV has taken a 43-40 lead over New Mexico at the half.

The Rebels finished the half on a 9-0 run, powered by Hamilton and Jonah Antonio, who have each scored 12 points apiece to lead the way for UNLV. Hamilton is 5-of-8 from the field, including a couple of spectacular driving buckets, while Antonio is 4-of-10 from 3-point range.

UNLV committed to playing faster about five minutes into the first half and the returns have been good. The Rebels have actually outscored New Mexico in fast-break points, 7-5. And the Rebels have also had success crashing the glass, as they've got six offensive rebounds and a 7-3 advantage in second-chance points.

New Mexico doesn't appear too interested in playing defense, but the Lobos are lighting it up on the offensive end. Corey Manigault has a game-high 15 points, and the Lobos are shooting 6-of-14 from 3-point range.

The Thomas & Mack Center isn't full, by any means, but the 5,000 or so fans in the arena have created a loud atmosphere when UNLV has gone on extended runs. If the Rebels continue playing fast in the second half, a true home-court advantage may kick in down the stretch.

Rebels picking up pace, still trail New Mexico

UNLV has picked up the pace on offense and is having more success creating open shots, but hot shooting from the Lobos still has New Mexico in the lead, 38-34, with 2:51 left in the half.

Jonah Antonio has been the main beneficiary of the faster tempo. He has connected on several 3-pointers in transition, and for the game he's got a team-high 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from deep.

New Mexico is enjoying a strong shooting performance of its own, connecting on 6-of-14 from 3-point range so far. Forward Corey Manigault has been a problem for the Rebels to cover; he is 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-2 from the arc for 13 points.

New Mexico leads UNLV early, 19-12

The Rebels have been a mess on offense to this point, but the game is starting to settle down and with 11:59 left in the half, New Mexico leads, 19-12.

Jonah Antonio swished a 3-pointer on UNLV's first possession, but then the Rebels proceeded to miss their next five shots; they also committed three turnovers during that stretch. Marvin Coleman helped steady the ship with a 3-pointer and a driving layup on back-to-back possessions.

New Mexico is off to a hot start from long distance, as three Lobos have already connected from beyond the arc (3-of-6).

Coleman is leading the way for UNLV with five points. Bryce Hamilton has two points and will shoot a pair of free throws after the timeout.

3 keys for UNLV basketball against New Mexico

UNLV is set to play a big game on Saturday afternoon, and on its own merits that simple fact should be encouraging considering where the team stood a month ago. A dramatic turnaround has the Rebels at 5-1 in Mountain West play, however, and now Saturday's showdown with New Mexico (15-4, 4-2 MWC) now looks like an important game for the league standings.

Three keys for to watch:

Transition points

After Friday's practice, T.J. Otzelberger said he'd be comfortable trying to run with New Mexico, but the Rebels had better be careful. Though New Mexico doesn't have great efficiency numbers in the open court (1.025 points per possession, No. 147 in the nation), the Lobos play that style regularly and are more equipped to an up-tempo game. UNLV might have some success running selectively — breaking out after forcing turnovers or grabbing long defensive rebounds, for instance — but otherwise it would probably be smarter to walk the ball up the court and make New Mexico win that way.

Free throws

New Mexico leads the country in total free throws made (336) and is third in total attemps (467), and Otzelberger pointed to defending without fouling as one of his defensive keys to the game. UNM point guard JaQuan Lyle is an expert at getting into the lane and drawing contact (team-high 5.4 FTA per game), so Marvin Coleman and Amauri Hardy will have to be mindful of not reaching in or committing unnecessary fouls when Lyle drives. On the other end, UNLV would do well to generate some freebies of its own; in Wednesday's win over San Jose State, the Rebels had their most productive free-throw performance of the season (28-of-33).

Attack the rim

Finishing around the basket hasn't been a strength for UNLV this season, but New Mexico is vulnerable. With forward Carlton Bragg currently suspended, the Lobos are without their best and only rim protector (team-best block rate of 6.4 percent). That means Hardy and Bryce Hamilton could have success with floaters and layups if they can consistently beat their primary defenders off the dribble.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.