The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are still alive and kicking in the postseason, having survived a wild finish against the UC Irvine Anteaters to claim a 75-72 victory in the first round of the 2026 NIT on Tuesday night. The matchup at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California, was packed with drama, momentum swings, and standout performances, as the Rebels built a commanding 18-point lead only to see it nearly slip away in the final moments.
Coming into the contest, UNLV (17-16) was reeling from three straight road losses, while UC Irvine (23-11) was licking its wounds after a tough 71-64 defeat to Hawaii in the Big West Conference tournament championship just days earlier. That loss dashed the Anteaters' NCAA Tournament hopes, but the NIT offered one more chance for redemption. The stakes were high, and both teams had plenty to prove.
For first-year UNLV head coach Josh Pastner, the game represented more than just another postseason appearance. After a season filled with ups and downs, including an unimpressive 6-10 record away from home, the Rebels were looking to build momentum and reestablish themselves as a force on the national stage. "A deep postseason run, even in the NIT, could be exactly the kind of momentum he needs to begin rebuilding UNLV into a program that again matters on the national stage," noted one analyst from the Las Vegas Sun.
The Rebels wasted no time setting the tone. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, despite battling foul trouble, made his presence felt early with a pair of 3-pointers that helped UNLV race out to a 19-5 lead. By the time he hit his second triple, the Rebels were up 29-11, their largest lead of the night. UC Irvine, meanwhile, struggled mightily to find its rhythm, not making its first field goal until there were just over 12 minutes left in the first half. The Anteaters' offensive woes were no surprise; they ranked just 255th in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
But if there was ever a team built to claw its way back, it was UC Irvine. The Anteaters boasted the 26th-ranked defense in the country and had gone 12-4 at home during the regular season. Their resilience started to show as the game wore on. Jurian Dixon, who had led the team with 17 points and three steals in their previous outing, once again stepped up, making big plays on both ends of the court. Derin Saran, another key contributor, chipped in with timely baskets and defensive stops.
UNLV, for all its early dominance, began to falter as turnovers piled up—20 in total, giving the Anteaters ample opportunities to mount a comeback. Freshman Tyrin Jones, however, provided a spark with his energy and athleticism, tallying 13 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. His highlight reel moment came in the second half when he picked off a pass at halfcourt and soared in for a thunderous dunk while drawing a foul, electrifying the Rebels' bench.
Kimani Hamilton was the steady hand for UNLV all night, leading the team with 14 points, four assists, and four steals. He also delivered a crucial pair of free throws in the final seconds to help seal the win. Freshman Isaac Williamson added 13 points, including a clutch 3-pointer late that helped the Rebels withstand UC Irvine's furious rally.
With just seconds remaining, the game reached fever pitch. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, UNLV's leading scorer, came up with a massive defensive play, blocking Jurian Dixon's 3-point attempt that would have tied the game with eight seconds left. Jones grabbed the rebound and headed to the free-throw line for a one-and-one, but missed the front end, keeping the door open for the Anteaters.
UC Irvine wasn't done yet. Dixon was fouled and calmly sank two free throws with 3.9 seconds left, trimming the Rebels' lead to a single point at 73-72. The pressure was mounting, but Hamilton refused to blink. Fouled on the ensuing inbounds play, he stepped to the line and knocked down both free throws, giving UNLV a three-point cushion with just 2.9 seconds left. The Anteaters had one last chance, but Saran's desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer came up short, and the Rebels could finally exhale.
"UNLV’s leading scorer deflected UC Irvine counterpart Jurian Dixon’s 3-point attempt to tie with eight seconds left. The stop bought UNLV just enough time to survive," reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Rebels' ability to withstand the late surge, despite their turnover woes, was a testament to their grit and composure under pressure.
For UC Irvine, the loss was a bitter end to a season that saw them finish 23-12 and come agonizingly close to a signature postseason win. Their elite defense, which had carried them all year, nearly turned the tide, but the offensive struggles that had haunted them all season proved too much to overcome. Still, the Anteaters' effort in front of a raucous home crowd showed why they were one of the Big West's toughest outs.
As for UNLV, the victory improved their record to 18-16 and set up a second-round NIT showdown with Tulsa, the date of which has yet to be announced. The Rebels have now won eight of their last 12 games, a surge that has fans dreaming of a deep postseason run. It’s no secret that the program has a storied history, and while the NIT may not have the same luster as March Madness, every win counts for a team looking to build its identity under a new coach.
The game was broadcast nationally on ESPNU, giving fans across the country a glimpse of the Rebels' potential and the Anteaters' trademark tenacity. For those who tuned in, it was a reminder that postseason basketball is as unpredictable and thrilling as ever. With players like Hamilton, Jones, and Gibbs-Lawhorn stepping up in the clutch, UNLV looks poised to make some noise in the weeks ahead.
Now, all eyes turn to Tulsa, as the Rebels prepare for the next chapter in their postseason journey. Can they keep their hot streak alive and continue their resurrection under Coach Pastner? After a nail-biting win in Irvine, anything seems possible for this resilient UNLV squad.