It was McConnell who made crucial plays at the end of the game, where it counts that propelled the Cats to the win. Arizona took the lead for good with 3;10 to play in the game when McConnell buried a jump shot inside the 3 point line.
The Rebels from Las Vegas shot a blistering 64 percent in the first half (16 for 25) while the Wildcats were at 52 percent (17 of 33) resulting in a UNLV 42-39 lead at the half. the 2nd half the wildcats turned up the defense holding UNLV to less than a point a minute.
| Score by periods | 1st | 2nd | Total |
| UNLV | 42 | 16 |
58 |
| Arizona | 39 | 24 | 63 |
The Wildcats demonstrated their strength and talent by overcoming 14 turnovers to win a close game when they may have been distracted knowing that Michigan State had had lost earlier in the day giving them a chance to move to Number 1 in the rankings.