Last-second jumper pushes Nevada past UNLV, 64-62

Despite 20 points from Freshman Rashad Vaughn, and 17 points and 13 rebounds from Sophomore Christian Wood, UNLV (9-6, 0-2 MW) fell to in-state rival Nevada (6-8, 2-0 MW) at the Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday night, 64-62. This win makes it three in a row for the Wolf Pack over the Rebels.

The first half was a tightly-contested, back and forth battle with the score being tied seven times with the lead changing eight times. Nevada's bench was the difference maker for the Wolf Pack, scoring 15 of their 35 first half points off the bench, good enough to take a five-point lead into the locker room.

Vaughn scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half to bring the Rebels back out in front by six with just under five minutes to play, but Nevada refused to go away and retook the lead off an AJ West layup, who finished the night with 15 points and 15 rebounds, 10 of those coming on the offensive glass. Vaughn and UNLV responded two free throws and a three to take a 60-58 lead.

Both teams traded free throws down to the final seconds, with Vaughn hitting two more from the stripe to knot the game at 62-62 with 13 seconds left. Marqueze Coleman hit a jumper with 5.2 to play to lift Nevada past UNLV for their first road win of the year, while extending their current winning streak to four games.

UNLV looks to snap their three-game skid vs. San Jose State this Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center, while Nevada puts their undefeated Mountain West Record on the line against Fresno State.