Short-handed Rebels beat Lobos, claim first Mountain West win

Conventional wisdom said UNLV coach Kevin Kruger should have sat Keylan Boone.

The former Pacific transfer dealt with foul trouble for a majority of the first half of the Rebels’ game with New Mexico on Tuesday. Boone picked up his third foul just 22 seconds after the break. Kruger, dealing with a shortened rotation, had every reason to sit the fifth-year forward and try to save him for the final stretch of a close game.

Instead, he trusted Boone to play smart. The fifth-year wing rewarded his coach’s faith.

“He trusts me, I trust him. Which is crazy because I just got back,” said Boone, who sat out part of the season waiting for an immediate eligibility waiver. “You see the love and you see the collaboration with us, too.”

Boone erupted for 17 points — including 11 in the second half — as UNLV defeated New Mexico 83-73 at the Thomas & Mack Center for its first Mountain West win of the season. It was the Rebels’ ninth win in their last 11 games against the Lobos.

Forward Kalib Boone scored a career high 29 points for UNLV (8-6, 1-1 Mountain West). Freshman guard Dedan Thomas Jr. added 14 points and seven assists, while guard Luis Rodriguez had 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds. The Rebels were 10-of-22 from 3-point range while New Mexico was just 2-of-11.

Freshman forward JT Toppin and guard Jaelen House scored 16 points each to lead the Lobos (13-3, 1-2).

“There was no question they were locked in for the two days getting ready for New Mexico,” Kruger said.

The Rebels were forced to use a new starting lineup Tuesday. Fifth-year forward Jalen Hill was ruled out for the rest of the season Monday with a knee injury. He was joined on the bench by sophomore forward Isaiah Cottrell, unavailable Tuesday for the first time this season because of a foot injury. It’s unrelated to the foot injury that caused Cottrell to miss all but one game last year.

Kruger began the game with Thomas, Rodriguez, Keylan Boone, Kalib Boone and fifth-year guard Justin Webster. UNLV’s new starting quintet got off to a quick start. The Rebels led 13-4 after the first five minutes of the game. New Mexico’s backcourt duo of Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr. — both All-Mountain West selections in 2022-23 — were held to a combined 11 points in the first half.

The Lobos crawled back into the game thanks to their full-court press and bench. Senior forward Mustapha Amzil scored a team-best 10 points for New Mexico in 12 first-half minutes. Free throws by freshman guard Tru Washington put the Lobos up 22-21, their first lead of the game, with 8:53 remaining before halftime.

New Mexico’s first-half comeback was aided by UNLV foul trouble. The Rebels were called for 14 fouls before the break. Keylan Boone earned his second foul with 9:09 left before halftime, while Kalib Boone was whistled for his second infraction with 8:53 remaining. The Lobos shot 14 free throws, making 12, in the first half.

UNLV, which led 40-38 at the break, got off to another hot start in the second half. Keylan Boone made two 3-pointers as part of a 10-4 run that forced a quick Lobos timeout. Junior forward Rob Whaley Jr. extended the Rebels’ lead to 69-48 with a thunderous one-handed dunk and a free throw with 9:19 left in the game.

Turnovers let the Lobos back in the game. Mashburn hit two technical free throws to reduce New Mexico’s deficit to 73-64 with 4:29 to play, but Kalib Boone closed it out for the Rebels.

He scored eight points on UNLV’s next four possessions to seal the win. Boone said he had to reflect on his own performances after his eight-point outing Saturday during UNLV’s loss to San Diego State. He decided to be more assertive against New Mexico.

“I’ve just got to be better,” Boone said. “I just have to be aggressive.”

Contact reporter Andy Yamashita at ayamashita@reviewjournal.com. Follow @ANYamashita on X.