Las Vegas – The 18th ranked Runnin’ Rebels avoided a huge upset Wednesday night at the Thomas and Mack, as they squeaked by Dixie State 81-80 in overtime.

The Rebels blew a 17 point halftime lead as the Red Storm poured it on in the second half taking the lead before UNLV came back to tie the game and send it to overtime. Dixie State didn’t let up in the extra period and led by seven points, before the Rebels were able to pull it out at the end with a big shot by Carlos Lopez-Sosa.

UNLV hasn’t lost an exhibition game since 2001. The Rebels will tip off their regular season on Monday as they host Northern Arizona.