UNLV is aiming to secure back-to-back victories after a challenging four-game losing streak as they prepare to face San Jose State on Tuesday evening at the Thomas & Mack Center. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on FS1, with radio coverage on KWWN (1100 AM, 100.9 FM).
The Rebels, currently holding an 11-12 overall record and a 6-6 standing in the Mountain West Conference, recently secured a hard-fought 80-78 victory against Grand Canyon, marking their first win in five outings. Prior to this losing streak, UNLV had started to find their rhythm, racking up three consecutive wins, notably including an upset against conference leader Utah State.
For the Rebels to perform well in the closing stretch of the season, they must continue building momentum as they look ahead to eight remaining games in league play. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn stands out as a key player, averaging 18.5 points per game, making him the second highest scorer in the conference.
In their earlier clash this season, UNLV triumphed over San Jose State with a 76-62 victory on January 17, where they made a season-high of 11 three-pointers. Howie Fleming Jr. and Tyrin Jones were instrumental in that win, contributing significantly with Fleming scoring 21 points and providing eight assists. However, both players missed the last game; Jones due to a shoulder injury and Fleming due to an ankle injury. Coach Josh Pastner indicated that their availability remains uncertain, as both are considered day-to-day.
On the other side of the court, San Jose State is struggling with a 6-17 record and 1-11 in the Mountain West, placing them second to last in the conference. Their sole conference victory came against Air Force, where they won 70-62 on January 13. Leading the Spartans is Colby Garland, who averages 18.4 points and 4.2 assists per game, ranking fourth in the league for assists.
As both teams prepare for this matchup, UNLV will seek to harness the momentum from their recent win and overcome the challenges posed by injuries, while San Jose State will aim to build on their lone conference victory as they look to improve their standings.