IRVINE, Calif. — The big lead had nearly evaporated. The uneven play that cost UNLV this season was back in the postseason.
But on the road in the first round of the NIT, the Rebels escaped with a 75-72 win against UC Irvine on Tuesday.
They got a lift from Dra Gibbs-Lawson, who scored 12 points and also came up with a key blocked shot. UNLV’s leading scorer deflected his UC Irvine counterpart Jurian Dixon’s would-be 3-point attempt to tie with eight seconds left.
The stop bought UNLV just enough time to survive. Tyrin Jones corralled the rebound and had a second chance at a one-and-one to extend the lead, but once again missed the front end.
Preventing a 3-point attempt, UNLV fouled Dixon, who hit two free throws with 3.9 seconds left and cut the Rebels lead to 73-72. Kimani Hamilton was fouled and hit two free throws, extending the lead to three points with 2.9 seconds left.
Derin Saran’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.
Hamilton led the Rebels with 14 points while Jones and Issac Williamson added 13 apiece. Hamilton and Jones had thunderous second-half dunks to hold off the Anteaters.
The Rebels committed 20 turnovers, leading to a stressful finish despite building up an 18-point lead in the first half.
Off a UC Irvine turnover, Gibbs-Lawhorn hit a 3-pointer to make it 19-5. He nailed another 3-pointer to make it 29-11 to give UNLV its largest lead.
The Rebels kept cold-shooting UC Irvine in check, as the Anteaters didn’t make their first field goal until 12:15 left in the first half.
Contact Diamond Leung at dleung@reviewjournal.com. Follow @diamond83 on X.
