LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — A surging New Mexico team riding a four-game winning streak will face a UNLV squad seeking consistency in a Mountain West Conference men’s basketball clash Tuesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Lobos (16-4, 6-1 MW) have established themselves as a conference frontrunner, with their only league loss coming in a narrow 83-79 road defeat at San Diego State on Jan. 17. They are coming off an 80-73 home victory over Nevada on Saturday, led by 19 points from guard Jake Hall. Hall, a key player to watch for New Mexico, has been a model of offensive efficiency. Over his last eight games, he is averaging 17.0 points, including a 24-point, 7-rebound performance in a rout of Air Force and 22 points against Grand Canyon. His scoring punch will be central to the Lobos’ attack. UNLV (10-9, 3-3) has alternated wins and losses over its past six games, most recently falling 82-71 to San Diego State at home. The Runnin’ Rebels’ fortunes often hinge on the explosive output of guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. He poured in 33 points in an overtime win over Boise State on Jan. 13 and followed with 27 in the loss to the Aztecs, demonstrating his capacity to carry the scoring load. The matchup pits one of the conference’s hottest teams against a home squad capable of high-scoring performances. New Mexico has dominated recent series history, winning the last five meetings, including a 76-68 victory in Las Vegas last February. For UNLV, protecting home court is critical to climbing the conference standings. The Rebels are 7-3 at the Thomas & Mack this season but face a Lobos team with a strong 4-2 road record, including a notable 81-78 win at VCU in nonconference play. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. PST. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Following this contest, New Mexico travels to face San Jose State on Saturday, while UNLV prepares for a road game at Nevada on Friday.