UNLV can't hold second half lead, falls to Maryland in Players Era Festival

Maryland Terrapins forward Pharrel Payne (21) passes after coming up with a loose ball in front of UNLV Rebels forward Walter Brown (22) and guard Al Green (7) during the second half of a Players Era Championship tournament basketball game at MGM Grand Garden Arena Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. Photo by: Steve Marcus

The UNLV basketball team surged to a seven-point lead early in the second half Monday night against Maryland at the MGM Grand Garden in the Players Era Festival.

But the advantage wouldn't hold. Already depleted by injuries—including the loss of post player Jacob Bannarbie from an already thin frontcourt—the Rebels were forced to lean heavily on their starters. Four played more than 30 minutes, and UNLV ran out of gas down the stretch.

Maryland's Pharrell Payne capitalized, erupting for 16 of his 20 points in the second half to lift the Terrapins to a 74-67 victory.

The Rebels had some chances to pull away in the second half, but missed layups in transition and open shots, coach Josh Pastner noted.

Payne made 7 of 8 shots from the floor and 6 of 10 free throws for Maryland (5-1), adding eight rebounds. Darius Adams had 15 points and David Coit scored 11. Myles Rice had eight points and six assists.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn led UNLV (3-3) with 17 points. Kimani Hamilton scored 11 before fouling out — adding to the Rebels' rotation woes. UNLV is still without projected rotation players Myles Che and Emmanuel Stephen because of injury; Bannarbie was ruled out before the game started with a calf injury.

Still, UNLV put forth a strong effort in causing Maryland to commit 20 turnovers, which it turned into 25 points. The game featured 11 lead changes and four ties.

Gibbs-Lawhorn buried a 3-pointer to put UNLV up 38-31 two minutes into the second half and the Rebels played with a lead until Rice and Andre Mills hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a 51-49 lead with 10 minutes to go.

UNLV tied it on its next trip down the floor, but Rice had a layup and Payne hit two free throws to give Maryland a lead it maintained over the final 9:28.

UNLV plays No. 8 Alabama today at the event.

"Towards the end (of the game), our numbers (players out with injury) caught up to us, not having the size that we needed inside," UNLV coach Josh Pastner said. "We just need to get healthy, and we have another great opportunity tomorrow vs Alabama."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.