UNLV coach Pastner vows to 'get back to the drawing board' after loss

Rebels fall below .500 in Mountain West play as coach laments team's defensive struggles

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:31am

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After another uninspiring loss, first-year UNLV basketball coach Josh Pastner pledged to go back to the drawing board and get his team back on track in Mountain West play. The Rebels fell to 10-11 overall and 5-5 in conference after an 89-76 road loss to in-state rival UNR, a game in which they struggled defensively and were without injured star freshman Tyrin Jones.

Why it matters

UNLV has high expectations for its basketball program, and the Rebels' struggles this season have been a disappointment. Pastner is in his first year as head coach and is trying to turn the team around, but the loss to UNR highlighted some of the team's weaknesses, especially on the defensive end. The Rebels will need to improve quickly if they want to be a contender in the Mountain West tournament.

The details

The Rebels were outscored in the paint 36-24 and allowed UNR to shoot 57% from 3-point range. Pastner said the team's defensive struggles were especially evident in the second half, when UNR went on a 17-3 run to open the half. The coach called out several players by name, including point guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn, center Emmanuel Stephen, and guard Howie Fleming Jr., saying they need to play better.

  • On Friday, the Rebels lost 89-76 to UNR.
  • On Tuesday, the Rebels will play a road game at Fresno State.

The players

Josh Pastner

The first-year head coach of the UNLV basketball team.

Tyrin Jones

A 6-foot-9 freshman for UNLV who is day-to-day with a shoulder injury.

Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn

The Rebels' starting point guard who led the team with 26 points in the loss to UNR.

Emmanuel Stephen

UNLV's 7-foot center who went scoreless and fouled out for the sixth time this season.

Howie Fleming Jr.

A guard for UNLV who is averaging 9.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season but was held to 5 points against UNR.

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What they’re saying

“My heart hurts right now. Really, my heart hurts. I feel pains in my heart.”

— Josh Pastner, Head Coach, UNLV Basketball

“Not an acceptable record at all for UNLV Runnin' Rebel men's basketball at all, I get that. And that's on me.”

— Josh Pastner, Head Coach, UNLV Basketball

“We weren't good defensively. There was no defense. What really started off the second half was our first four possessions. We turned it over. And you can't (do that) at this level.”

— Josh Pastner, Head Coach, UNLV Basketball

What’s next

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The takeaway

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