McCaw's 22 points lead UNLV past New Mexico, 76-68

Updated: Feb 21, 2015, 09:07 pm

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Patrick McCaw scored a career-high 22 points and UNLV put on a long-distance shooting display Saturday to beat New Mexico 76-68.

Goodluck Okonoboh, who finished with 12 for UNLV (15-12, 6-8 Mountain West), scored six in an early 12-2 run that pushed the Rebels to a 23-9 lead 6:49 into the game.

The Lobos (14-13, 6-9), who have lost six straight, got back into the game with a 13-0 run to tie it at 34-34 with 1:51 left in the first half. New Mexico employed a zone that helped thwart UNLV during the run, but Rebels forward Christian Wood dunked and Jelan Kendrick hit a 3-pointer at the horn to send the Rebels into the break leading 39-34.

UNLV would not trail again, but New Mexico remained within one possession at 57-54 at the 12:38 mark before Wood, who had 17, and Jordan Cornish hit 3-pointers and a 63-56 lead.

The Rebels hit 10-of-17 3-pointers, outscoring the Lobos 30-9 behind the arc. New Mexico's prowess on the boards helped keep them in the game with a 30-22 rebounding advantage, including 12-4 on the offensive glass, leading to a 13-6 edge on second-chance points. But the Rebels lived up to their running moniker, scoring 18 fast-break points, including a big steal and end-to-end layup from McCaw in the midst of a 7-0 UNLV run that extended the lead to 67-56.

Obij Aget led New Mexico with 14 points and eight rebounds.

Kendrick added 17 for UNLV along with seven assists. Greenwood and Devon Williams each scored 12 for the Lobos.

UP NEXT

New Mexico: at Boise State on Tuesday.

UNLV: at Utah State on Tuesday.

TIP INS

UNLV's 3-point percentage (58.8 percent) was its second-best performance of the season, just behind the 59.1 percent it shot against Saint Katherine.

New Mexico leading scorer Deshawn Delaney has scored a total of eight points in the last two games.

PITFALLS

New Mexico's losing streak is the longest since losing seven straight in the 1970-71 season. Its 3-game home losing streak is the longest since losing four in a row in 1991-92.