RUNNIN’ REBELS AT NEW MEXICO SATURDAY NIGHT FOR REGULAR-SEASON FINALE
UNLV enters contest having won seven of its last 10 games; 8 p.m. PT contest to be televised nationally on FS1
- Game Notes at New Mexico (PDF) | 2021-22 Schedule
- 2021-22 Statistics (PDF)| 2021-22 Statistics (Web)
- @UNLVAthletics | @TheRunninRebels
- Tickets
The UNLV men’s basketball team, winner of seven of its last 10 games, will travel to New Mexico for both teams’ regular-season finale on Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. PT.
LAST TIME OUT: The Runnin’ Rebels defeated Wyoming 64-57 Wednesday on Senior Night at the Thomas & Mack Center. Senior forward Royce Hamm Jr. recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds as UNLV won its 19th in a row over the Cowboys at home. Senior guard Bryce Hamilton added 15 points, six rebounds and four assists, while junior guard Justin Webster contributed 11 points and junior forward Donovan Williams pulled down a career-high eight rebounds for UNLV. It was the only meeting this season between the Runnin’ Rebels and Wyoming.
EARLIER THIS SEASON AGAINST NEW MEXICO: UNLV and New Mexico met earlier this season on Jan. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Runnin’ Rebels won that game 85-56 after a 10-day layoff because of COVID. UNLV was led by Williams’ game-high 29 points and Hamm Jr.’s double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds. Hamilton added 17 points. UNLV used a 17-0 run late in the second half, pushing a 66-53 lead with six minutes left to an 83-53 advantage with under two minutes to go.
THIS SEASON: Hamilton leads the Runnin’ Rebels (18-12, 10-7) in scoring this season at 21.6 points per game, which ranks first in the Mountain West and eighth in the nation. Williams is second on the team at 12.8 ppg and tops in field-goal percentage at 48.5. Hamm Jr. leads the team and is third in the MW in rebounding with 9.3 per contest (26th in the country) and is also averaging 8.7 ppg. Senior guard Jordan McCabe leads the team in assists at 4.8 apg (fourth in the MW) and leads the conference and is sixth in the country in assist/turnover ratio (3.3).
UNLV has had an entirely new look this year with nine transfers – eight coming from the Division I level, including four from Big 12 programs. Ten of the Runnin’ Rebels’ 13 scholarship players had yet to play in a game in a UNLV uniform before this season began.
UNLV’s 15-man roster includes 13 upperclassmen. Hamilton was selected to the 2021-22 Preseason All-Mountain West Team in October. Initially declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft, the second-team All-MW honoree last season who led the Runnin’ Rebels in scoring with 17.9 points per game decided to return to the program.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT: New Mexico (12-18, 4-12) has lost four of its last five after a three-game win streak that culminated with a home victory over then-No. 22 Wyoming. The Lobos are coming off a 71-68 loss at Fresno State on Monday. Jamal Mashburn Jr. leads the team in scoring at 18.2 ppg (6th in MW), with Jaelen House also in double figures at 16.5 ppg (10th in MW). Jay Allen-Tovar is the team’s leading rebounder (5.2 rpg, 16th in MW), while House is the assist leader (4.4 apg, 7th in MW). The Lobos are 10-7 at home this season.
BROADCAST INFO: Saturday’s game will be televised nationally on FS1 with Daron Sutton and Eddie House calling the action. Jon Sandler, former Runnin’ Rebel Curtis Terry and Steve Cofield (sidelines) will handle the UNLV radio call, which may be heard live on ESPN Radio 1100 in Las Vegas. All streaming links and live stats are available at UNLVRebels.com and through the UNLV Rebels App.