UNLV won its second straight game Tuesday, but a 13-point lead shrank to three before the Rebels held off San José State 82-75. In the Feb. 11 Rebel Daily Drive, I look at what improved before that uncomfortable finish: Kimani Hamilton’s 23 points and 10 rebounds, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn’s 40-minute night and the rim protection Tyrin Jones restored in his return from a shoulder injury.
Jones also supplied the late basket UNLV needed. With the Spartans within one possession, Issac Williamson found him for a layup with 2:33 left, ending the Rebels’ 6:23 field-goal drought and stretching the lead to five. Josh Pastner’s push for quick decisions has produced better passing possessions, but the final minutes still showed how quickly the offense can stall.
Bison Wire joins me for the football portion of the episode to discuss North Dakota State’s acceptance of a football-only invitation to the Mountain West for 2026. The Bison bring 10 FCS national championships, a substantial financial commitment and a fan base accustomed to winning. We discuss the move from NDSU’s perspective, the league’s changing membership and what it means for UNLV. Financial terms and postseason restrictions were still developing when this Feb. 11 conversation was recorded.
Watch the Feb. 11 episode and the conversation with Bison Wire below.