UNLV snaps Boise State’s record home winning streak

The game was so similar to the one UNLV played Saturday, fans might have felt like they were experiencing déjà vu.

The Rebels led 68-64 with mere seconds remaining against Boise State on Tuesday. It was an advantage UNLV learned 72 hours earlier against No. 16 Utah State didn’t guarantee victory. Coach Kevin Kruger admitted his heart dropped for a second when fifth-year guard Justin Webster hit the front of the rim while making his final free throw. Then Boise State roared up the court hoping for a final miracle.

Broncos guard Max Rice hoisted a prayer of a 3, but his shot crashed off the backboard. Boise State forward Tyson Degenhart’s follow-up attempt was harmless as well. UNLV players wheeled away in celebration, thoughts of the five-point play that cost them the win against the Aggies three days earlier temporarily extinguished.

“They deserve it,” Kruger told reporters after the game. “They deserve to have a big road victory, especially off the bounceback from Saturday.”

The victory at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, Idaho, snapped the Rebels’ eight-game losing streak to Boise State. It also ended the Broncos’ 22-game winning streak at home, the longest in the country entering Tuesday. UNLV’s win was its first in ExtraMile Arena since 2019.

Junior forward Rob Whaley led the Rebels (9-7, 2-2 Mountain West) with a career-best 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting and six rebounds in 29 minutes. Fifth-year guard Justin Webster scored 15. Fifth-year forward Keylan Boone added 10 points and made two 3-pointers.

Degenhart had a game-high 24 points to lead Boise State (12-5, 3-1).

The Rebels enjoyed a quick start for the third straight game. Whaley fueled the advantage. The former College of Southern Idaho forward was Kruger’s first player off the bench and made his first five field-goal attempts.

Whaley scored 13 points in the first half, making a layup with 5:44 remaining before the break to give UNLV a 28-18 lead. He also contributed three rebounds, a block, a steal and an assist in 14 first-half minutes.

UNLV’s comfortable lead didn’t last long. Boise State responded with a 13-2 run to go up 31-30. It was propelled by senior guard Chibuzo Agbo, who scored seven of his 14 first-half points in that stretch. A late 3-pointer from Webster allowed the Rebels to take a 36-34 lead into halftime.

Neither team was able to separate to start the second half. Degenhart came alive for the Broncos, keeping UNLV from controlling the game. Degenhart scored 19 of Boise State’s 30 second-half points and helped foul out Rebels forward Kalib Boone.

UNLV learned from its mistakes late against Utah State, however. The Rebels were sturdy on defense, didn’t settle for quick shots on offense and kept pace with Degenhart. UNLV also won the rebounding battle in the second half, 20-16. The Rebels grabbed eight offensive rebounds to extend possessions and scored 11 second-chance points.

Their disciplined play set the stage for Webster, who made all four of his attempts from the free-throw line in the final 20 seconds to preserve the win.

“It’s been 120 minutes of really good basketball,” said Kruger, referring to UNLV’s past three performances against New Mexico, Utah State and Boise State. “We’ve just got to keep building on that.”

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