New Mexico bring Rebels next WAC Challenge

Steve Carp

Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 | 5:34 a.m.

Whenever a big game looms on the horizon and there's a stopover on the way, Bill Bayno gets nervous.

The UNLV coach knew with all the hype attached to Thursday's key WAC contest at New Mexico, his players might forget about taking care of business Saturday against Air Force.

He wouldn't go as far to say his Rebels overlooked the Falcons in an 88-77 win at the Thomas & Mack Center. But he did concede that his team could have been sharper.

It was a game UNLV never appeared to be completely in control of even though it never trailed.

"It's one of those games it's hard to get your kids up for," Bayno said. "You talk to them about it, you remind them, but it's tough.

"The best thing about it was we won the game and now we can move on."

But not without a few important lessons learned. Yes, the Rebels outlasted the Falcons and survived a 40-point barrage by former Chaparral High star Jarmica Reese. Sure, Keon Clark's home debut was successful as he poured in 28 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked his first two shots of the year.

Still, it was a grind-it-out game and for UNLV to win Thursday at The Pit, it won't be able to commit 11 first-half turnovers or get beat on the boards or not contest shots from the perimeter. A failure to do any of those things will merely extend New Mexico's home-court winning streak to 37.

"We've got to take care of the ball and we have to rebound," Bayno said. "The biggest thing is we have to get out and contest."

The Rebels did a good job of that early in the Air Force game as the Falcons missed their first eight shots. But when Reese got a couple of cherry-pick dunks 11 minutes into the first half to ignite a personal 21-point run and keep his team in it, the Rebels had to adjust.

It took some zone and some pressure on the ball from Greedy Daniels as UNLV got things back under control. An 11-0 run down the stretch led by Corky Ausborne and Tyrone Nesby finally got it sorted out for the Rebels, who improved to 8-5 and won their third straight.

"Tyrone's letting the game come to him and he's shooting with good legs," Bayno said of Nesby, who scored 24 points. "I also think he and Keon are playing well together. They teamed up for some baskets and they're both playing unselfishly."

As for Ausborne, Bayno said the senior shooting guard hasn't slacked off.

"Corky's played well all year," Bayno said of the team's leading long-distance shooter, who added 14 points Saturday. "He's playing hard and even when he's not making shots, he's helping us."

Now that the WAC opener is behind them and they have some momentum with the three-game win streak, it's time to focus on what arguably is the toughest game on the Rebels' schedule.

"Nothing changes," Bayno said when asked if special preparation is in order for the Lobos, who were upset Saturday at Wyoming, 58-55. New Mexico was ranked 12th when today's poll was released, down from 10th a week ago.

"We have to do a good job in the matchups and we have to rebound the ball. We can't give up 16 offensive rebounds and expect to win the game."

Look for Kaspars Kambala to start out on Lobos center Kenny Thomas with Clark handling forward Clayton Shields and Nesby getting sophomore Lamont Long. For the Rebels to win, they must hold their own in those three key matchups.

As game time approaches, much will be made of those matchups, as well as the backcourt battles with Greedy Daniels and Ausborne vs. New Mexico's Royce Olney and David Gibson. But with Clark quickly rounding into form, Nesby playing better and chemistry taking hold, UNLV should find itself in position to be competitive.

"We're still trying to feel each other out," Bayno said. "But the guys are hanging in there and they're working hard. We just need to have a great week of practice and take that into the game Thursday."

Hoop du jour

* STREAK CONTINUES: Freshman C Kaspars Kambala was 5 for 5 from the foul line Saturday night and extended his streak of consecutive free throws made to 21. The school record is 27 held by Robert Smith. ... UNLV's three-game win streak is the longest of the year and its longest since last February when the Rebels won five straight. ... UNLV blocked a season-high nine shots, including five by Issiah Epps Saturday. The Rebels' 52-percent effort from 3-point land also was a season best. UNLV was 11 of 21 from long distance, including 4 of 5 from Tyrone Nesby.

* START AND FINISH: Not only did freshman G Greedy Daniels start his third straight game at the point, Daniels finished it as well. He played 26 minutes and was on the floor at the end when UNLV pulled away. Daniels had one of the strangest statistical lines of the year: seven points, six rebounds, six assists, five turnovers and four steals. Sophomore Mark Dickel, who has been playing the bulk of the minutes at the point and usually is on the floor at the finish, played just 15 minutes Saturday. "Greedy was doing a good job running the team in the second half and he was defending well, so I left him in," coach Bill Bayno said. "His second half may have been the best he has played."