There is an adage in college basketball regarding 3-point shooting teams that says "you live and you die by the three."
Monday night at The Pit, the UNM men's basketball team and the Runnin' Rebels of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas tantalized the crowd in a thrilling uptempo conference battle.
In the end, the Lobos (14-12, 5-8) died by the three. UNM finished 9-27 from beyond the arc.
The Rebels (16-10, 7-6) came out the victor, winning in a heart-breaking fashion 78-75.
On the final possession of the game with UNLV up 78-75 and 18.7 seconds showing on the clock, Lobo guard Mark Walters took the inbounds pass and raced up the court. He penetrated the paint and kicked to a wide-open Troy DeVries camping on the baseline. DeVries chucked the open shot, but it rung the rim and squeaked out. Danny Granger rebounded and passed to Javin Tindall, who threw up a prayer from about 26 feet. His shot went in and out. Granger got the rebound again and had the presence of mind to get behind the 3-point arc. He put up a three as the buzzer sounded, but his heave bounced off the rim giving the Rebels the heart-thumping victory.
"We were lucky enough to get three opportunities to make one," Tindall said. "That's how the ball went. The last three shots, two of them were in and out and the third was just missed. That's how it goes and we just have to move on."
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Prior to the final possession and the Lobos trailing by a point, Rebel guard Demetrius Hunter was fouled. With the crowd in a shrieking frenzy, Hunter buried both free throws to give UNLV a three-point lead.
After a frantic first half played at a rigorous up and down pace, the Lobos held a 39-38 advantage.
The second-half pace was much the same as the first.
With UNM leading 52-51, the Lobos went on an impressive 7-0 run. It began with a huge put-back dunk by Alfred Neale off an errant jumper. Neale then buried a three on the next possession. The run was capped by a Chiotti dunk on a sweet assist from Troy DeVries.
UNLV countered with its own 7-0 spurt to even the game at 59.
That's when Rebel forward Odartey Blankson took over the game. He scored the Rebels' next 10 points including two 3-point bombs. Blankson's assault on the nets gave UNLV a three-point lead, its biggest of the game and an advantage the Rebels would never relinquish.
Blankson finished with game-highs of 28 points and 12 rebounds.
Granger finished with 23 points and nine rebounds. Tindall, who was honored before the game on senior night, gave a valiant effort. He scored 17 points and dished four assists.
