Rebels receive needed boost

Steve Carp

Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998 | 11:02 a.m.

RENO -- Sometimes, good fortune can come from one's own misfortune.

It figured that UNLV would need the services of 6-foot-9 center Kaspars Kambala to combat Nevada-Reno's own 6-9 wide body, Dimitrios Marmarinos. But Kambala sat out Wednesday night's game at Lawlor Events Center, a victim of his own indiscretions, as he was benched for violating team rules.

The suspension came Monday before leaving for Reno, and coach Bill Bayno had one day to make the necessary adjustments. He opted for a series of small, quick lineups and the ploy paid hefty dividends.

Donovan Stewart had a career evening as did guard Greedy Daniels. Kevin Simmons and Shawn Marion made sure UNR's front line, especially Marmarinos, did not gain the upper hand.

So credit UNLV's 84-69 victory to the proverbial team effort. Bayno certainly did.

"It was total unselfish play," Bayno said. "How about Kevin shutting the big guy down? How about Donovan attacking inside? It was just a great team effort."

Simmons, who posted a well-earned double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, had one day to reacquaint himself with a position he hadn't played since his freshman year at UC Irvine -- center.

He fronted Maramarinos in the post. And when he needed help, Marion and Stewart were there to lend a hand.

Maramarinos made just 1 of 7 shots, and had only three points and four rebounds while being saddled with foul trouble. He had two personals just seven minutes into the game.

Meanwhile, Bayno shuffled his backcourt like a veteran blackjack dealer.

UNLV was trailing 22-13 with seven minutes to go when he inserted Mark Dickel, Brian Keefe and Desmond Herod to go with Stewart and Issiah Epps. They got UNLV back into the game with nine quick points to trail 24- 22.

Then Bayno opted for another shuffle of the deck. He brought Simmons, Marion and Daniels back, and they ran off the final 13 points of the half to give the Rebels a 35-26 halftime lead.

It would grow to 48-32 early in the second half. Even though there was still plenty of time for the Wolf Pack to rally, it would have taken a collapse of monumental proportions for UNLV to fold.

UNR got as close as 67-61. But with Bayno playing Dickel and Daniels together and Marion and Stewart working with Simmons inside, there wasn't much UNR could do to avoid falling to 1-2.

Daniels would finish with a career-high 23 points while adding five steals, four assists, three rebounds and just two turnovers.

"We knew with Kas out we'd have to suck it up defensively," Simmons said. "Everyone chipped in and we just went hard."

Marion, despite not being the target of a lot of set plays, still managed to score 17 points and grab 11 boards while blocking four shots. He continues to play hard at both ends of the floor and is quickly closing the gap on the transition from junior college to Division I ball.

But the unsung hero Wednesday was Stewart.

Kambala's suspension caused a ripple effect in the UNLV lineup and Stewart found himself at small forward. But instead of hanging on the perimeter and launching 3-point shots, Stewart worked inside, attacked the basket and made plays.

His career-high 19 points included a 7-of-9 shooting performance and he was 5 for 8 from the foul line.

Just when it appeared his confidence was on shaky ground, the 6-4 sophomore from Rialto, Calif., bounced back with his best effort as a Rebel.

"He and I have been communicating together," Bayno said. "He's asking me how he should play and I told him to just attack the basket, slash hard and not settle for perimeter jumpers. He was outstanding for us, just outstanding."

Simmons also had spoken to Stewart and told him to play to his strengths.

"When he gets inside, I don't think there's anyone who can stop him," Simmons said. "He has a way of making things happen around the basket."

Kambala is expected back for Saturday's game against Arizona State in Phoenix. But he may have to wait a little longer to return to the court, given the stellar play by the smaller, quicker lineup that beat UNR.

"As long as Kas does what he's supposed to do, this is it," Bayno said, refusing to elaborate on the situation.

But for one night, the Rebels more than got by without their big man. They actually flourished as they rediscovered the joys of winning that come with playing smart, under control and together.

"That's a glimpse of what this team is capable of doing," Daniels said.