UNLV defeats New Mexico 86-74 in coach Todd Simon's debut

By foxsports
Published

LAS VEGAS (AP) Patrick McCaw scored 18 points to lead UNLV to an 86-74 victory over New Mexico on Tuesday night.

The win snapped the Rebels' three-game losing streak, and highlighted the debut of interim coach Todd Simon, who took over for Dave Rice on Sunday.

Four other Rebels scored in double figures, including Stephen Zimmerman, who scored 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Ike Nwamu, who also scored 15.

UNLV lost its first three Mountain West Conference games by a combined six points, including late-game collapses against Fresno State and Colorado State. This time, even when the Lobos made a late run, UNLV was able to stave off the rally and hold on for the win.

The Rebels (10-7, 1-3) had lost five of their past six games, and with the season seemingly spiraling out of control, Rice was fired in the middle of his fifth season.