The UNM men's basketball team got off to a fast start on Monday but finally ran out of gas in a 75-66 loss to the University Nevada-Las Vegas.
Senior guard Ruben Douglas was on fire in the first half scoring 25 points including six of seven from beyond the arc. Douglas would finish the game with a career-high 40 points.
The Lobos held UNLV to 39 percent shooting in the opening frame while hitting 47 percent of their shots from the floor.
In the second half, it was different story. UNM came out lethargic and the Rebels finally found their shooting stroke as they hit key shots at the most crucial moments of the game.
"We set the tone in the game," Douglas said. "In the second half we came out kind of lackluster and they came out more prepared. They made a run when it counted."
UNLV loosened up in the second period and responded by shooting 52 percent from the field. The Rebels' Marcus Banks also shook off a slow start while dishing out 10 assists and scoring eight points, the biggest coming on a 3-pointer late in the game ending the Lobos' chance of a comeback.
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Junior UNM guard Javin Tindall shot poorly from the field after coming off a career game against San Diego State. Tindall made only one of his nine shots on the night but he did deal out six assists.
With the Rebels leading 65-63, Douglas had a chance to tie the game but missed two crucial free throws. After that the Lobos were forced to play catch up.
"We lost and I don't like losing," Douglas said. "I scored 40 points but I missed the one's that counted."
The only other significant scorer for UNM was forward Jamaal Williams who netted 14 points. Douglas and Williams accounted for 44 of the team's 66 points.
Head coach Ritchie McKay was disappointed with the loss but did see some positives.
"I'm incredibly proud our group and our effort," he said.
It was the first win for the Rebels in conference play after three straight losses. Coming into the season, UNLV was highly touted as Mountain West contenders.
"When you're 0-3, you start wondering how in the world you're ever going to win a game," Rebel head coach Charlie Spoonhour said. "When you get behind on somebody else's court, it's very difficult to find answers. We were very fortunate, I guess, that there was a halftime."
The Lobos now get to rest up before they travel to BYU on Saturday. They finish up their road swing in Utah on Wednesday.
