The Utah State Aggies would have clinched a share of the Mountain West Conference title with a win over the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
Instead the Aggies lost by 27, 95-62.
Utah State trailed by eight after a poor first half and then by just four with 14:22 remaining before the wheels started to come off.
The Runnin’ Rebels stretched their lead to 16 with 6:46 to play and then up to the final margin of 27 with 28 seconds left on the clock.
Kimani Hamilton led four UNLV players in double figures with 24 points while Mason Falslev led the Aggies with 20.
The home team shot 58% from the field compared to just 38% for Utah State and dominated in several other statistical categories.
Tuesday’s result sets up a massive game Saturday between the Aggies and New Mexico Lobos in the regular season finale for both sides.
Utah State enters Wednesday a half game up on New Mexico atop the Mountain West standings, but the Lobos can make up that ground Wednesday night against the Colorado State Rams at home.