Sad, Embarrassing Loss For UNLV Men’s Hoops: New Mexico Blows Out Runnin’ Rebels, 89-61, At TMC Tuesday; Coach Pastner, ‘We Were Terrible’
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — It was a brutal first half for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels tonight. Actually, it was a sorry performance for the entire game
New Mexico jumped out to a quick lead and UNLV never looked competitive as the Lobos piled up a big 41-22 lead at halftime. Final: New Mexico 89 UNLV 61.
“We got our butts kicked,” UNLV coach Josh Pastner said. “We were terrible.”
Pastner said it was good to see Naas Cunningham score nine points in 11 minutes. UNLV had upset Utah State on the road but then lost to San Diego State and New Mexico at home. New Mexico led by 38 points with 4:39 left in the game.
Attendance was reported at 5,642. But it was rather obvious there were less people in the campus arena than that number. Pastner said it’s up to the team to win fans over and get them to attend games at Thomas & Mack.
“We’re not consistent,” UNLV guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn said after the loss that gave UNLV a 10-10 record.
The best thing for UNLV about the first half was an on-court cancer center promotion about a 24-year-old man who beat cancer.
Even sadder than UNLV’s dismal performance, though, was the sea of open red chairs in the big arena that once rocked with hoops excitement. UNLV last appeared in the NCAA basketball tournament in 2013.
Fast forward to 2026 and the student section:
The building had no buzz, no energy and no vibe.
Former TV weatherman Kevin Janison wrapped it up in this social media post:
The New Mexico lead ballooned to 51-26 over UNLV with 13:13 left in the game.
UNLV limped to the finish line in the 89-61 defeat to New Mexico. Not a single UNLV player scored ten points.
“We went 0-2 in this homestand, and that’s unacceptable,” Pastner said. “They had a hit-first mentality, and we had a soft-first mentality. We’ve got to be better. We have a quick turnaround, in 72 hours we play at Nevada. I told our guys, your toughness will be tested to see how you respond Friday night.”
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