Colorado State Rams Edge UNLV Rebels in Tight Mountain West Matchup

Rams' balanced offense and free-throw shooting prove key in narrow road victory

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a closely contested Mountain West Conference matchup, the Colorado State Rams defeated the UNLV Rebels 74-71 on Wednesday night. The Rams, led by strong performances from Josh Pascarelli, Carey Booth, and Jase Butler, were able to hold off a late UNLV surge thanks to their efficient offense and superior free-throw shooting down the stretch.

Why it matters

This win keeps Colorado State in the hunt for a higher seed in the Mountain West tournament, while UNLV's home loss at the Thomas & Mack Center is a setback in their quest to improve their conference standing. The game highlighted the contrasting styles of the two teams, with Colorado State's disciplined half-court approach proving effective against UNLV's up-tempo, pressure-oriented attack.

The details

Colorado State's offense was balanced and efficient, with Pascarelli, Booth, and Butler combining for 57 of the team's 74 points. The Rams shot 58.1% from the field and 77.1% from the free-throw line, limiting UNLV's ability to capitalize on their aggressive defensive style. UNLV's Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and Kimani Hamilton provided sparks for the Rebels, but the team's 69.2% free-throw shooting proved costly in the close defeat.

  • The teams previously met on January 15, 2026, with Colorado State winning 70-62.

The players

Josh Pascarelli

A key offensive contributor for Colorado State, Pascarelli led the team with a 28.9% usage rate and a 129.9 offensive rating.

Carey Booth

Colorado State's efficiency specialist, Booth posted a 142.1 offensive rating and 71.9% true shooting percentage.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn

UNLV's leading scorer, Gibbs-Lawhorn provided a scoring spark with a 61.3% true shooting mark and 57.5% effective field goal percentage.

Kimani Hamilton

UNLV's physical presence, Hamilton's aggressive play helped the Rebels generate free-throw attempts, though their 69.2% team free-throw percentage proved costly.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough road environment, but our guys stayed disciplined and executed our game plan. Winning close games like this on the road is crucial for our tournament aspirations.”

— Niko Medved, Colorado State Head Coach (DraftKings Network)

What’s next

Colorado State will look to build on this road victory as they continue their Mountain West Conference schedule, while UNLV will aim to rebound and secure a higher seed in the upcoming conference tournament.

The takeaway

This game showcased the contrasting styles of the two teams, with Colorado State's balanced, efficient offense and disciplined defense proving to be the difference against UNLV's up-tempo, pressure-oriented approach. The Rams' ability to limit turnovers and convert at the free-throw line were key factors in their narrow road win.