LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -  UNLV came into Saturday's game ranked first in the Mountain West in defense, but could not stop New Mexico in the second half, allowing season-highs in total points, second half points (44) and made three-point field goals (12) in an 80-64 loss to the Lobos in Mountain West women's basketball action from the Cox Pavilion. The Lady Rebels lost to the Lobos in Las Vegas for the first time since the 2013 MW Tournament, and have dropped to 12-13 overall, 8-5 in MW play with its third straight setback. UNM meanwhile moved to 14-13, and 5-9 in conference play.

After UNLV scored the first six points of the opening quarter, were held to just six points over the next eight minutes, while the Lobos hit three treys to open up a 16-12 lead. Three more three-pointers gave UNM a 25-18 edge before UNLV reeled off seven straight to tie the game at 25-25, and UNLV would take a one-point edge, 37-36, going into the halftime break.

THE TURNING POINT: It was a tie game at 41-41 at the 8:08 mark of the third quarter when the Lobos hit three straight three-pointers, from three different players, for a nine-point edge. UNLV came no closer then six points the rest of the game, as the Lady Rebels made just three field goals in the third quarter and were 4-of-13 in the fourth quarter from the floor.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV held the nation's top three-point field goal defense ranking before the game, but allowed New Mexico to knock down 12-of-23 from behind the arc for 52.2%. The previous high by a UNLV opponent this year was seven three-pointers. 

LADY REBEL NOTES

* - Rodjanae Wade finished with a game-high trying 23 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for her 16th double-double of the season, putting her alone in fourth place all-time in UNLV history.

* - The next highest scorer for UNLV was junior Bailey Thomas, who set a new career-high with 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range and 5-of-6 at the free throw line.

* - LaTecia Smith also posted double-figures for UNLV with 13. The rest of the team was held to just 11 points thought, as only six total players scored for UNLV.

NEXT TIME OUT: UNLV is on the road at Colorado State with a Wednesday, Feb. 19 contest in Fort Collins. The game will top-off at 6 pm (PT) and can be watched online on the MW Network at UNLVRebels.com.