Eric Draper/AP
UNLV guard EJ Harkless passes the ball to David Muoka over New Mexico’s Javonte Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Albuquerque, N.M. UNLV won 84-77.
Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 | 12:26 p.m.
UNLV guard EJ Harkless, who dominated the second half with 21 points in Saturday’s win at nationally ranked New Mexico, was named the Player of the Week in the Mountain West, the league announced today.
Harkless, the grad transfer from Oklahoma, tallied 25 points in helping the Rebels to a 84-77 win over the No. 21 Lobos in front of a sellout crowd at the Pit. It was New Mexico’s best crowd since 2009.
His most significant points came with 40 seconds remaining to extend the UNLV lead. He nearly lost his dribbles twice, but gathered the ball and took two long strides around a defender before drilling a 15-footer.
The win was much-needed by UNLV (12-3 overall, 1-2 Mountain West), who snapped a two-game losing streak to grab their first league win.
It was also the program’s second win over a ranked opponent of the season. The first was against visiting Dayton in November.
Harkless, who also had a game-high five assists and six rebounds, took his game to a higher level in the second half in making 7 of 11 field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers. He only had one turnover for the game in playing 35 of 40 minutes.
UNLV at 8 p.m. Wednesday hosts Boise State.
