PALO ALTO, Calif. — Kimani Hamilton made one of two free throws with two seconds remaining, lifting UNLV past Stanford 75-74 on Sunday afternoon at Maples Pavilion.

Hamilton missed his first attempt but converted the second to break a tie, and Stanford did not get off a final shot before time expired.

The win pushed UNLV to 4-5, while Stanford fell to 7-2.

Stanford controlled much of the game, using its rebounding advantage to extend possessions and lead for more than 25 minutes. The Cardinal built a first-half lead that reached nine points, but never fully pulled away, leaving the door open late for UNLV to execute in the closing moments.

1st Half: Stanford Controls, UNLV Stays Close

Stanford set the tone early, dictating pace and asserting itself on the glass. The Cardinal repeatedly generated second chances and used kick-out threes to build momentum, forcing UNLV to play from behind for most of the opening 20 minutes.

UNLV struggled at times with ball security early, allowing Stanford to extend possessions and build a lead that reached as many as nine points. Still, the Rebels avoided letting the game get away by committing to the paint.

Emmanuel Stephen, making his UNLV debut, provided interior stability for the first time all season, while Tyrin Jones and Isaac Williamson attacked downhill to keep the offense flowing even as Stanford controlled the glass and paint.

 

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The late sequence mattered. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn knocked down a timely three, and Stephen finished a dunk in the final minute to close the gap to one. Instead of chasing, UNLV went to the locker room down 39-38, very much alive.

 

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Stanford had the control. UNLV had the leverage.

2nd Half: Punches, Counters, No Separation

UNLV briefly grabbed its first lead early in the second half, but Stanford responded immediately. That became the rhythm.

Every Rebel push was met with an answer, usually off an offensive rebound or a kick-out three. Stanford’s ability to generate extra possessions kept them in front for most of the half, even as their shooting efficiency dipped.

UNLV countered by making each possession count. The Rebels continued to attack the rim, building a growing advantage in paint scoring and forcing Stanford into foul situations late.

The game rarely extended beyond a single possession for much of the final eight minutes, setting up a closing stretch that felt inevitable.

 

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Final Minutes: Execution Over Control

Stanford made what looked like its move with under three minutes remaining. A pair of free throws and a driving layup pushed the Cardinal ahead 70-66, creating brief separation in a game that had offered very little all night.

UNLV didn’t force anything. Tyrin Jones and Gibbs-Lawhorn attacked in rhythm, getting to the paint at will. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn tied the game at 70-70 with two free throws at the 1:22 mark.

Stanford answered again. Ebuka Okorie followed his own miss for a tip-in and converted the free throw to give the Cardinal a 73-72 lead with 49 seconds remaining.

Hamilton responded immediately.

He backed his defender down and knocked down a turnaround jumper in the paint to put UNLV back in front, 74-73, with 29 seconds to play.

 

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Once again, Stanford answered. Okorie split a pair of free throws to tie it at 74-74 with 14 seconds left.

After a timeout, UNLV went right back to Hamilton. He drove, absorbed contact with two seconds remaining, and went to the line. He missed the first. He made the second. Ball gane. Stanford was unable to get a shot off in the final 2 seconds.

By the Numbers:

This was not a volume win. It was an efficiency one.

• Field goal percentage: UNLV 48% | Stanford 38%

• Points in the paint: UNLV 48 | Stanford 28

• Points per possession: UNLV 1.042 | Stanford 1.028

• Turnovers forced: UNLV 16

Stanford owned the glass:

• Rebounds: Stanford 46 | UNLV 34

• Offensive rebounds: Stanford 20 | UNLV 12

• Second-chance points: Stanford 26 | UNLV 8

Both teams shot 30% from three, but Stanford attempted nearly three times as many perimeter shots. UNLV instead leaned into the paint and made its efficiency count when possessions mattered most.

The game featured 13 ties and nine lead changes.

Stephen’s Debut & Immediate Impact

 

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The night also marked the UNLV debut of Emmanuel Stephen, and his presence was felt in all the right ways.

Stephen scored efficiently at the rim, battled for rebounds in traffic, and helped anchor UNLV defensively inside. His activity played a central role in UNLV’s paint dominance and helped prevent Stanford’s rebounding edge from becoming decisive.

Final Takeaway

It was not a flawless performance, but it was an instructive one.

UNLV was outrebounded, missed 11 free throws and trailed for much of the game, yet remained composed in the closing moments. The Rebels avoided rushed possessions, continued to attack the paint and executed when the game tightened to a single possession.

Hamilton’s final free throw sealed the outcome, but UNLV’s ability to stay connected throughout the game made that moment possible.

If the Rebels can continue to win close games despite inefficiencies, it speaks to a developing foundation that extends beyond the final score.