Lobos play into Rebels’ hands, drop second straight in MWC

Add Steve Alford to the growing list of admirers of UNLV's unselfish style of basketball.

New Mexico's coach could only applaud the 14th-ranked Rebels' 80-63 victory over his Lobos on Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV had 17 assists and forced 21 turnovers while placing five scorers in double figures.

"They're very impressive with the way they share the ball," Alford said. "They make that extra pass, and it makes them that much tougher to guard.

"But they did a great job of pressuring us into mistakes. You're not going to win a game, especially on the road, when you're turning it over 21 times."

Thirty-two of UNLV's points came off turnovers, and the Lobos' carelessness, particularly early in the second half, cost them any chance of stealing a road win to make up for Wednesday's 75-70 home loss to No. 16 San Diego State.

New Mexico trailed only 39-35 at halftime. Barely 6:18 later, the Lobos trailed 57-43.

Even when New Mexico managed to get the Rebels into a half-court game, the Lobos found it's not as simple as merely taking away one of UNLV's offensive threats and leveling the playing field.

Rebels substitutes Carlos Lopez and Justin Hawkins scored 14 and 10 points, respectively, in support of Mike Moser's 14 points and 10 rebounds and Anthony Marshall's 13 points and nine assists.

"Lopez has really improved," Alford said. "That's the best I've seen him play against us."

Chace Stanback also scored 13 as the fifth Rebel to reach double figures as coach Dave Rice's team continued to display the kind of balance that frustrates opponents.

"They're a fast team," said New Mexico guard Kendall Williams, who along with Tony Snell led the Lobos with 15 points. "With the tempo they play at, it's hard to get back. And the way they move the ball, it's like you're always chasing the ball. They're a hard team to defend."

The loss leaves the Lobos 1-2 in the MWC, the losses having come to the Rebels (2-1) and league-leading Aztecs (3-0). Alford said he was impressed with both teams, but would not say who is better.

"They're both very good," he said diplomatically. "They're both very athletic, and you can't make mistakes against either of them."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.