LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — UNLV’s Runnin’ Rebels suffered their fifth consecutive loss, falling to Boise State 71-62 despite strong performances from Dedan Thomas Jr. and Bear Cherry.
Thomas Jr. led the Rebels with 20 points, while Cherry added 19, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Boise State’s balanced attack, which saw four Broncos scoring in double figures.
“Against a good team like Boise, we had a couple of lapses that ended up costing us,” said UNLV Head Coach Kevin Kruger. “They did a good job of making us pay. Our confidence is rattled and we were a little hesitant.”
The game was tightly contested in the first half, featuring six lead changes and five ties, with Boise State holding a narrow 33-29 lead at halftime. The Broncos then opened the second half with a 9-0 run, forcing UNLV to play catch-up. UNLV managed to rally with a 17-7 run in the second half, closing the gap to within four points, but ultimately could not overtake Boise State.
The Rebels now hold an 11-12 overall record and are 5-7 in conference play. They will look to break their losing streak when they travel to face the Wyoming Cowboys on Saturday.
All facts from this article were gathered by KLAS journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KLAS staff.