UNLV basketball fights off late rally from Grand Canyon
UNLV guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (0) goes to the basket against Grand Canyon center Efe Demirel (17) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Photo by: Steve Marcus
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 | 7:06 p.m.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn scored 29 points, including 20 in the first half, and UNLV held off a late rally to defeat Grand Canyon 80-78 on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Rebels (11-12, 6-6) built a 16-point first-half lead and took a 44-34 advantage into halftime.
UNLV extended its lead to 15 points with 2:41 remaining before Grand Canyon (15-8, 8-4) mounted a furious comeback, cutting the deficit to two points with 11 seconds left. Issac Williamson’s two free throws with five seconds remaining sealed the victory.
Al Green added 13 points and Kimani Hamilton scored 10 for UNLV. Jacob Bannarbie recorded a career-high 15 rebounds and added five assists.
Grand Canyon got double-doubles from Nana Owusu-Anane (19 points, 13 rebounds) and UNLV transfer Jaden Henley (17 points, 10 rebounds).
UNLV shot 18 of 19 from the free-throw line (94.7%). Gibbs-Lawhorn has scored 20 or more points in three consecutive games and five of his last six.
“Grand Canyon is a great team that came in today playing as well as anyone in the country,” UNLV coach Josh Pastner said. “They are really good defensively. To be able to score 80 against them was a real positive for our offense. It was a great win for the Runnin’ Rebels, and I am so happy to be able to win at home for our fanbase. And I’m really happy for our young men. They really earned that win. We have a quick turnaround now for our next game on Tuesday night.”