UNLV Holds Off San José State 82-75 Behind Gibbs-Lawhorn's 24 Points

UNLV took care of business at the Thomas & Mack Center, defeating San José State 82-75 in a non-conference matchup. The Rebels were led by Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who scored 24 points and dished out 5 assists. Gibbs-Lawhorn's performance was complemented by Kimani Hamilton, who chipped in with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The duo's efforts helped UNLV build a 45-41 lead at halftime, which they maintained throughout the second half despite San José State's best efforts to mount a comeback.

Colby Garland was the standout performer for San José State, scoring 23 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. He was supported by Pasha Goodarzi, who added 21 points, and Japhet Moupadele, who contributed 11 points. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of UNLV, which saw three players score in double figures.

The game unfolded with UNLV taking an early lead, but San José State staying within striking distance. The Rebels' advantage was never more than 10 points, and the Spartans kept the pressure on until the final whistle. In the end, UNLV's depth and talent was too much for San José State to handle.

CHD Scout had predicted a 17.4-point victory for UNLV, but the actual margin was a more modest 7 points. While the Rebels didn't cover the predicted spread, they still secured the win, which was the expected outcome. The narrower margin than predicted is a reflection of San José State's resilience and determination.

This victory has real consequences for UNLV's tournament resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 win. While not the most impressive victory, it's still a win that the Rebels needed to stay on track. For San José State, the loss is another Quadrant 3 defeat, which doesn't significantly harm their resume but doesn't provide much of a boost either.

The win brings UNLV's record to 12-12, while San José State falls to 6-18. As the season enters its final stretch, UNLV want to build on this momentum and secure more wins to bolster their tournament chances. With Gibbs-Lawhorn and Hamilton leading the charge, the Rebels have the talent to make a push for a postseason berth. However, they'll need to be more consistent and take care of business in their remaining games to make a strong case for themselves.