UNLV Upsets Mountain West Leader Utah State Despite Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn's Off Night

Rebels rout Aggies behind strong team effort, led by Kimani Hamilton's 24 points

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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UNLV guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, the Mountain West's leading scorer, had an uncharacteristically quiet night, but his teammates stepped up in a big way as the Rebels upset conference leader Utah State 92-65 on Tuesday. Freshman Kimani Hamilton led the way with 24 points, while Tyrin Jones added 17 and fellow freshman Issac Williamson scored 15 on senior night. UNLV guard Howie Fleming Jr. recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

Why it matters

This win is a significant upset for UNLV, who entered the game ranked 8th in the Mountain West standings. The Rebels were able to take down the conference leader Utah State for the second time this season, proving they can compete with the top teams in the league despite their overall record. The performance also showcases the depth and talent of the UNLV roster beyond just their star player Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn.

The details

UNLV jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, dominating Utah State throughout the game. The Rebels shot the ball extremely well, connecting on 55% of their field goals and 47% from 3-point range. Kimani Hamilton had the hot hand, making 9-of-14 shots, while Tyrin Jones and Issac Williamson also provided a scoring punch. UNLV's defense also stifled the Aggies, holding them to just 65 points - well below their season average.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
  • This was the second meeting between UNLV and Utah State this season, with the Rebels also winning the first matchup 86-76 on January 20, 2026.

The players

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn

UNLV's star guard and the Mountain West's leading scorer, who had an uncharacteristically quiet night with just 10 points.

Kimani Hamilton

UNLV freshman forward who led the team with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting.

Tyrin Jones

UNLV sophomore forward who scored 17 points to provide a scoring punch alongside Hamilton.

Issac Williamson

UNLV freshman guard who scored 15 points on senior night for the Rebels.

Howie Fleming Jr.

UNLV junior guard who recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

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What they’re saying

“We knew Dra was going to have an off night, so the rest of us had to step up. I'm proud of how our team responded and got this big win over the conference leaders.”

— Kimani Hamilton, UNLV Freshman Forward (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

What’s next

UNLV will look to build on this upset victory as they close out the regular season. The Rebels currently sit in 8th place in the Mountain West standings, but this win could provide momentum heading into the conference tournament.

The takeaway

UNLV's win over Utah State showcases the depth and talent of their roster beyond just star player Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. The Rebels proved they can compete with the top teams in the Mountain West when their supporting cast steps up, providing hope that they can make a run in the conference tournament despite their up-and-down regular season.