In a thrilling finish, UNLV secured a 65-62 victory over No. 22 Utah State on Wednesday night, fueled by a late seven-point run. Dedan Thomas Jr. played a crucial role in the Rebels’ comeback, hitting a layup and a 12-foot fadeaway jumper to cap off the decisive stretch.
The defeat snapped Utah State’s six-game winning streak, as Mason Falslev’s last-second three-pointer fell short. Jalen Hill led the Rebels with 15 points, while Julian Rishwain and Jailen Bedford contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively. Although Thomas scored just eight points, his critical contributions in the final moments were pivotal in UNLV’s 12-2 run to close out the game.
Utah State, which had been riding high with a series of close victories, including six wins decided by single digits, found themselves in a tight contest once again. The Aggies surged ahead with a 15-3 run, taking a 60-53 lead with just over five minutes remaining. However, the Rebels responded resolutely, highlighted by Rishwain’s three-pointer that shifted momentum and set the stage for their late-game heroics. With this win, UNLV improved to 10-7 overall and 4-2 in Mountain West play, while Utah State fell to 16-2 and 6-1 in the conference.
Looking ahead, Utah State will host Nevada on Wednesday, while UNLV prepares to face San Diego State on Saturday.
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