(EL PASO, TX) - UNLV saw a 15-point second-half lead at UTEP all but disappear, as the Miners had a chance to win it with a last second 3-pointer, but Konner Tucker’s shot missed and the Rebels escaped with a 62-60 victory.

The win is the 7th straight for the Rebels, who improve to 9-1 on the season.

UNLV lead 38-23 early the second half. But UTEP kept chipping away at the lead. The Rebels’ leading scorer on the season Anthony Bennett, who came into the game averaging 20 points per game, scored only one point in the first half. He finished with 10.

Four Rebels scored in double figures, in a balanced attack, led by Bryce Dejean-Jones with 12.

Sophomore center Khem Birch made his debut for UNLV. The Pittsburgh transfer played 14 minutes off the bench and had four points and three rebounds.

Earlier in the day, the new rankings were released and UNLV dropped one spot in each poll, now ranked 18th in the coaches poll and 21st in the AP top 25.

Next up for UNLV, back at the Thomas and Mack, Wednesday night taking on Northern Iowa.