LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — It was a tale to two contests Friday night at Eller Media Stadium as UNLV run-ruled New Mexico State and then saw its eight-game winning streak cease at the hands of Houston.

The Rebels smacked four home runs and used a six-run fifth inning to wallop New Mexico State with a 13-5 run rule after six innings. Then Houston's pitching quieted UNLV's bats to the sum of two hits in a 3-0 defeat.

"In the first game, we did a really good job of taking advantage of our opportunities," UNLV head softball coach Kristie Fox said. "When we were behind, we never panicked. We just chipped away and I thought we did a good job of that by answering back one or two innings every single time.

"In the second game, we just couldn't answer back right away. We didn't make adjustments at the plate. The pitcher kept attacking us the same way and we kept making the same mistakes. I think that we gave them the game today. 

The Boyd Gaming Classic continues Saturday with Houston versus New Mexico State at 10 a.m. and Houston vs. Washington at 12:30 p.m. UNLV takes on New Mexico State Saturday at 3 p.m. before facing No. 7 Washington at 5:30 p.m.

"We just need to focus on playing our game, taking care of the ball, attacking the other team's hitter, and taking advantage of our opportunities at the plate. If we do that, good things will happen for us."

Game Two: Houston 3, UNLV 0 
Houston's Kenna Wilkey (W, 4-4) held UNLV to a season-low two hits, handing the Rebels their first shutout loss of the season. 

Amanda Carden hit an RBI single in the top of the second and Aspen Howie homered in the sixth to bookend the Cougars' scoring.

Houston defeated No. 7 Washington 5-4 after eight innings earlier in the day.

Game One: UNLV 13, New Mexico State 5 (6 innings)
Denise Armendariz hit a game-tying solo shot in the fifth as UNLV scored six runs in the frame. April Visser slugged back-to-back home runs in the fifth and sixth, knocking in four total runs, as the Rebels walked off with the victory.

Mia Trejo blasted a three-run homer in the second as the Rebels rallied twice to conquer New Mexico State.