The UNLV Runnin' Rebels pulled off a stunning 86-83 upset over the Boise State Broncos, with Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn scoring a career-high 36 points. This win was a significant upset, considering Boise State's NET ranking of 54, while UNLV sat at 138. The 3-point margin of victory marked a major departure from the predicted 8.9-point margin in favor of Boise State, as the Runnin' Rebels improved to 13-12 on the season.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn Scores Career-High 36 Points in Upset Victory
The game got off to a rocky start for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, who trailed 40-29 at halftime. However, they mounted a furious comeback in the second half, outscoring the Boise State Broncos 48-37 to take the lead. The Broncos, led by Drew Fielder's 27 points and 6 rebounds, struggled to contain Gibbs-Lawhorn, who scored 21 of his 36 points in the second half. The Runnin' Rebels' 48 points in the second half marked a significant increase from their 29-point first half, and ultimately was the difference in the game. With 5 minutes remaining, the score was tied at 73-73, but UNLV outscored Boise State 13-10 late to secure the 86-83 victory.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn led the way for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, scoring 36 points on 12-20 shooting from the field. Kimani Hamilton added 13 points, while Tyrin Jones chipped in with 12 points and 5 rebounds. For the Boise State Broncos, Drew Fielder scored 27 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Pearson Carmichael added 16 points. Dylan Andrews contributed 12 points and 5 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the hot shooting of Gibbs-Lawhorn. The two teams combined for 169 points, with UNLV shooting 49% from the field and Boise State shooting 47%.
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The UNLV Runnin' Rebels outscored the Boise State Broncos 9-6 in overtime, but the game was largely decided in the second half, where UNLV outscored Boise State 48-37. The Runnin' Rebels shot 49% from the field, including 7-18 from three-point range, while the Broncos shot 47% from the field and 8-22 from three-point range. The Broncos outrebounded the Runnin' Rebels 34-29, but committed 14 turnovers to UNLV's 10. The 86 points scored by UNLV marked a season high in points scored against the Broncos, who had previously allowed a high of 82 points.
The CHD Scout predicted a Boise State victory by 8.9 points, with a final score of 82-73. However, the actual result was a 3-point victory for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, marking a significant departure from the predicted outcome. The model incorrectly predicted the winner and margin, highlighting the unpredictability of college basketball. The 8.9-point predicted margin was the largest discrepancy between the predicted and actual margins all season, and marked a major upset for the Runnin' Rebels.
This upset victory marked a significant Quad 1 win for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, who improved to 13-12 on the season. The loss marked a Quad 3 loss for the Boise State Broncos, who fell to 15-10. The Runnin' Rebels' NET ranking is expected to rise significantly, potentially cracking the top 120. The Broncos, on the other hand, may see their NET ranking drop to around 60. The 3-point margin of victory marked a major departure from the predicted 8.9-point margin, and highlighted the Runnin' Rebels' ability to compete with top-tier teams.
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels want to build on this momentum as they face off against the San Jose State Spartans on February 17. The Boise State Broncos, meanwhile, want to bounce back against the Air Force Falcons on February 18. Both games matters in determining the trajectory of each team's season, and will provide valuable insight into the strength of each squad.