SAN DIEGO — The UNLV Rebels triumphed over the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday night, securing a 76-68 victory, aided by a strong performance from Dedan Thomas Jr., who contributed 19 points to the team’s success.

In addition to his scoring, Thomas also recorded five assists, showcasing his playmaking ability. The Rebels now hold a record of 11-7 overall and sit at 5-2 in the Mountain West Conference. Brooklyn Hicks supported the team with an efficient outing, scoring 13 points with a shooting percentage of 71.4% (5 of 7) and making 2 of 4 free throws. Jaden Henley also made an impact, finishing with 12 points; he shot 28.6% from the field but was perfect from the free-throw line, going 6 for 6, and excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 2 of 3 attempts.

On the other side, Miles Byrd led the Aztecs with a remarkable performance, scoring 21 points. Nicholas Boyd was another key contributor, adding 16 points to the score, while BJ Davis chipped in with 10 points and made four steals, providing defensive support for San Diego State, who now have an overall record of 11-5 and a conference record of 4-3.

UNLV entered halftime with a lead of 31-23, propelled by Jailen Bedford, who was the team’s top scorer before the break with eight points. After halftime, Thomas stepped up and led the team with an additional 12 points, further solidifying their advantage and ensuring victory for the Rebels.