Live coverage: UNLV knocks off No. 21 New Mexico

E.J. Harkless took over down the stretch, and UNLV just scored its biggest win of the year, downing No. 21 New Mexico on the road, 84-77.

After notching just four points on 1-of-5 shooting in the first half, Harkless get red hot over the final 20 minutes. He made a pair of 3-pointers, seven free throws and poured in 21 points over that span to carry UNLV across the finish line. He finished with 25 for the night.

David Muoka also turned in a monster game, posting 11 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks. Keshon Gilbert bounced back from a shaky start to notch 14 points and five assists, and Luis Rodriguez gave the team a valuable 12 points and six rebounds.

Led by Harkless's scorching-hot hand, UNLV shot 55.6% as a team in the second half while holding New Mexico to 34.3% at the other end.

The Scarlet and Gray are now 1-2 in Mountain West play and 12-3 overall. They'll return home on Wednesday, rejuvenated and ready to host Boise State at the Thomas & Mack Center.

UNLV going down to wire at New Mexico

These teams continue to trade haymakers and with 4:13 remaining, UNLV is still holding onto a stress-inducing 70-67 lead.

E.J. Harkless has taken over in the second half for the Scarlet and Gray, scoring 17 of his 21 points since the break. Keshon Gilbert has also found his groove, as he's got 14 points and five assists.

Offensive rebounds are beginning to become an issue tonight, as UNLV has now allowed 12. Fortunately, New Mexico has only been able to turn them into 10 points.

Let's see if Harkless can get UNLV across the finish line in perhaps the toughest environment they'll face all season.

UNLV takes lead at New Mexico

The Scarlet and Gray scorched out of the locker room with a 9-0 run, and they have taken their first lead of the game. With 14:42 to play, UNLV leads New Mexico, 51-49.

Keshon Gilbert will shoot free throws after the timeout, and he has been a big part of UNLV's comeback. He scored a breakaway layup to open the half, then saved a loose ball with a spectacular behind-the-back pass ahead to Luis Rodriguez for a layup to cap the run.

UNLV has made 6-of-10 from the field in the second half. Gilbert is up to 10 points and four assists, while E.J. Harkless leads the team with 11 points.

UNLV down at halftime at New Mexico

UNLV played better down the stretch of the first half, and at halftime they have trimmed New Mexico's lead to 43-38.

Jordan McCabe connected on a long 3-pointer from the top of the key in the final minute, then found Luis Rodriguez in transition for a corner 3 to pull UNLV within one point. But Jaelen House drove for a quick bucket, and then a McCabe turnover led to a runout dunk for Lobos center Morris Udeze just before the halftime buzzer.

Despite the bad turnover, McCabe saved UNLV in the first half by scoring 10 points off the bench. Keshon Gilbert recovered from a shockingly bad start to register eight points and three assists in the half. As a team, UNLV is shooting 48.3% from the floor, but eight turnovers have hindered their efforts.

House leads New Mexico with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Udeze has nine points and five rebounds.

While UNLV was thoroughly outplayed for most of the half, the scoreboard doesn't reflect it. If they can string together 20 good minutes in the second half, the Scarlet and Gray might put themselves in position to steal this one.

New Mexico leads UNLV basketball, 26-14

New Mexico made three 3-pointers in a row to open a double-digit lead, and with 7:56 left in the first half UNLV trails, 26-14.

Reserve guard K.J. Jenkins swished two consecutive triples to spark the Lobos, and Jaelen House hit from long range to cap a 12-4 run for the home team.

Jordan McCabe has given the Scarlet and Gray some good minutes off the bench, hitting 2-of-3 from the field, but UNLV is just 5-of-16 as a team.

One situation to monitor is House's foul trouble. He just picked up his second foul and went to the bench. If his minutes are limited tonight, that will certainly work in UNLV's favor.

UNLV falls behind early at New Mexico

The Scarlet and Gray have gotten off to a nightmare start here at the Pit, and with 15:29 left in the first half New Mexico has run out to a 10-4 lead.

Keshon Gilbert has had a particularly rough go of it so far. The sophomore point guard turned the ball over in the backcourt twice against pressure defense from UNM guard Jaelen House, prompting Kevin Kruger to quickly sub Jordan McCabe in for Gilbert less than two minutes into the game.

New Mexico scored the first eight points, and UNLV missed its first four shots from the field before E.J. Harkless dropped in a floater to get the visitors on the board.

UNLV certainly appears to be flustered by the sellout crowd. Let's see if Kruger can settle them down before the scoreboard gets out of hand.

UNLV looking for first MWC win at New Mexico

UNLV basketball is still looking for its first Mountain West win this season (11-3, 0-2 MWC), and there may not be a more difficult place to find it than the Pit.

Kevin Kruger will lead his team on the road at New Mexico on Saturday (6:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network), where the Lobos are undefeated so far this season at 11-0.

Three keys to watch:

Get Gilbert going

One of the biggest factors in UNLV’s hot start this season was Keshon Gilbert taking the leap to stardom. The sophomore averaged 14.1 points per game in nonconference play, but in two MWC contests so far he has scored just seven total points while making 3-of-17 from the field and 0-of-6 from 3-point range.

If Gilbert doesn’t step it up Saturday, UNLV probably doesn’t stand much of a chance.

Ever confident, Gilbert said there is no underlying issue that caused his slump.

“Everybody has bad games,” he said after Thursday’s practice. “It ain’t nothing.”

Kruger is equally convinced that his young star will bounce back.

“I’m not normally a betting man,” Kruger said, “but I’m going to bet on Keshon Gilbert.”

Backcourt matchup

New Mexico won its first 14 games this season and is ranked No. 21 in the nation, and the Lobos have done it on the strength of their dynamic backcourt of Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr.

The duo combine to average 34.5 points per game, and both are sharpshooters; House makes 48.3% from 3-point range and 81.4% from the free-throw line, while Masburn hits 40.8% from long range and 79.5% from the stripe. Basically, if they’re shooting it, there’s a good chance it’s going in.

Gilbert will have to be on his game defensively, as will senior guard E.J. Harkless and senior wing Luis Rodriguez.

Muoka in the middle

UNLV continues to struggle when it comes to controlling the defensive glass, as they’ve allowed double-digit offensive rebounds in both Mountain West games so far.

Senior center David Muoka said he takes responsibility for securing rebounds, but Kruger has stressed that it has to be a team effort, with all five players chipping in despite size or position.

How serious is the coach taking it? On Thursday, Kruger stopped practice any time his players allowed an offensive rebound and had them complete a set of push-ups.

New Mexico is middle of the pack in that area, ranking No. 167 in the nation in offensive rebounding rate (27.3%), so this could be a good matchup for the Scarlet and Gray.

Who: UNLV (11-3, 0-2 MWC) at New Mexico (14-1, 2-1 MWC)

When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. at the Pit (Albuquerque)

TV: CBS Sports Network

UNLV leaders

Scoring: E.J. Harkless — 16.0 points

Rebounding: Luis Rodriguez — 5.9 rebounds

Assists: Keshon Gilbert — 3.7 assists

New Mexico leaders

Scoring: Jamal Mashburn — 17.5 points

Rebounding: Morris Udeze — 7.5 rebounds

Assists: Jaelen House — 5.0 assists

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