UNLV Triumphs Over No. 21 San Diego State with Thomas’ Clutch Performance – Sky Bulletin
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During a tense Tuesday night showdown in Las Vegas, Dedan Thomas notched 19 points and clinched UNLV’s victory over No. 21 San Diego State with a critical jumper at 18.6 seconds remaining, leading to a 62-58 win.
The Rebels (19-10, 12-5 Mountain West) claimed their fourth win against top-tier competition, marking a stellar run where they have triumphed in 10 out of their last 11 games. Keylan Boone also starred with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Aztecs (22-8, 11-6), who saw Elijah Saunders as their leading scorer with 14 points, struggled offensively this game. Jaedon LeDee, the Mountain West’s leading scorer, was contained to 12 points on challenging 2-of-12 shooting.
San Diego State has had a firm grasp on the series against UNLV, winning 37 of the last 48 matchups and maintaining dominance at the Thomas & Mack Center. However, the Rebels disrupted this pattern with their recent win.
After a slow start where San Diego State missed 13 consecutive shots and only scored a free throw in nearly five minutes of play, the Aztecs managed to close a significant gap following UNLV’s early 27-10 lead to within five points during a key run.
The Aztecs kept it competitive and tied the game at 58 all with a 3-pointer and subsequent layup by Lamont Butler. Thomas’ decisive jumper and Kalib Boone’s crucial blocked shot on Micah Parrish’s 3-point attempt in the final seconds ensured a Rebels victory, solidified by Thomas’ free throws.
UP NEXT
San Diego State will host a game against Boise State on Friday to conclude their regular season.
UNLV is set to face Nevada in an away game on Saturday, wrapping up their regular-season schedule.
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For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll
FAQ
- Who led the scoring for UNLV in their win over San Diego State?
Dedan Thomas led the scoring for UNLV with 19 points. - What was the key play that secured the win for UNLV?
Dedan Thomas scored a tiebreaking 19-foot jumper with 18.6 seconds left on the clock. - Did any other UNLV player have a standout performance?
Yes, Keylan Boone recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. - What was the shooting performance of San Diego State’s top scorer?
Jaedon LeDee, who was averaging 20.8 points per game, was held to just 12 points on 2-of-12 shooting. - What are the next games for both teams?
San Diego State hosts Boise State, while UNLV plays an away game against Nevada to close the regular season.
Conclusion
The UNLV Rebels showcased resilience and tenacity in their late-game heroics to snatch a crucial victory against the 21st ranked San Diego State Aztecs. With Dedan Thomas and Keylan Boone leading the charge, the Rebels have signaled their capacity to challenge even the toughest competitors in the Mountain West Conference. As both teams look ahead to their respective regular-season finales, this match serves as a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of college basketball.
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