Clark to miss at least two games

Monday, Nov. 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

It started out so well for Keon Clark. Seven quick points. Five spectacular blocked shots. Five rebounds. He was dominating UNLV's season-opener by himself.

But as quickly as he started, Clark's long-awaited Division I debut came to a screeching and agonizing halt. He was caught flat-footed early in the second half of Saturday night's 61-59 win over Cal State Northridge when teammate Sunshine Smith drew a charge and landed on the outside of Clark's right knee.

The 6-foot-11 junior hobbled off in pain, his evening done and his immediate future very much up in the air.

Clark has a sprained medial collateral ligament and he will be out a minimum of 7-10 days, which means he will miss Tuesday's game with Jacksonville and Friday's with Miami.

"There's something definitely wrong with it," Clark said. "I felt something pop when Sunshine landed on me."

Team orthopedist Dr. Gerald Higgins said as long as there's no tear in the MCL, Clark should be all right.

"Right now, his stability isn't there," Higgins said. "We'll know more in a day or two."

Clark is scheduled to have an MRI today to assess the damage. Trainer Jerry Koloskie said Clark told him Sunday there was only a little swelling, which was a good sign.

"He's got an isolated ligament sprain and we'll treat it accordingly," Koloskie said. "Keon said it's a little stiff, but we'll get started on the treatment and go day by day."

Clark was obviously frustrated over the injury.

"Damn," he said. "I waited so long for this night, and I get hurt."

Lee hobbling too

Just 18 seconds after Clark limped off the court, UNLV got another scare when backup center Eric Lee fell trying to grab a rebound and landed on his back while hitting his head on the floor.

Lee, who had surgery on his back last December, was OK and eventually returned to the game. But according to Koloskie, he was sore Sunday and would be getting treatment for his back.

"I was scared," Lee said of his fall. "I was just praying I'd be OK."

Koloskie said as long as Lee's back didn't stiffen up on him, he should be able to play Tuesday.

"We'll work with Eric and try and get him ready," Koloskie said.

Time stood still

It wasn't a good night to be running the Thomas & Mack Center clock as veteran timer Bill McGee drew the wrath of both coaches in the final five seconds.

UNLV had gained possession on a turnover with 4.9 seconds to play, clinging to a 60-59 lead. The ball was in-bounded to Tony Lane who caught it near the UNLV bench, turned and was eventually fouled by Northridge's Derrick Higgins.

However, the scoreboard still showed 4.9. It seemed the usually reliable McGee forgot to throw the switch when Lane touched it. That set Bill Bayno off on an expletive-laden tirade. But referee Scott Thornley correctly adjusted the clock to read 3.9.

"I turned on the clock, but it didn't start," McGee said. "It was a malfunction."

After Lane missed his second free throw, the Matadors rebounded and immediately called time. Now there was 2.6 seconds showing and it was Northridge coach Bobby Braswell's turn to complain. He thought McGee was too slow in turning off the clock.

This time, there was no adjustment by the officials and the Matadors had only the 2.6 seconds remaining. Mark Dickel picked off the in-bounds pass at mid-court and dribbled out the final ticks.

Proud in defeat

Though the Rebels spoiled his Division I coaching debut, Northridge's Braswell wasn't complaining.

"Coming close isn't good enough for our basketball team," he said. "But I'm very proud of our guys for the way they hung in there in a very hostile environment."

Braswell said the key was his team's ability to weather UNLV's early blitz in which the Rebels scored the game's first nine points, extended the run to 11-2 and threatened to blow the Matadors out of the Thomas & Mack.

"We needed to have some composure and settle down, and they did," he said. "I give our kids credit for maintaining their poise and for battling back."

Braswell didn't understand the disparity of fouls. Northridge was whistled for 28 fouls to UNLV's 19 and the Rebels shot 30 free throws to CSUN's 16. The fact the Matadors made only 50 percent also didn't sit well with the former Oregon assistant.

"I'm disappointed," he said of the nearly 2-to-1 margin UNLV enjoyed at the stripe. "But hey, maybe we did foul that much."

Hoop du jour

* LUNCHEON TUESDAY: The Rebel Athletic Club luncheon returns to the Si Redd Room at noon Tuesday. The luncheon, which features coach Bill Bayno and includes highlights from the Northridge game as well as a look ahead to Tuesday night's game with Jacksonville, is open to the public. Cost is $10. For more information, call 895-1533.

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