Nailon, TCU gain revenge

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999 | 9:44 a.m.

Billy Tubbs had a simple explanation for TCU avenging its earlier 95-88 overtime loss to UNLV in Fort Worth last month.

"You know how things kind of balance out?" Tubbs asked a few minutes after the Horned Frogs dealt UNLV's NCAA Tournament hopes a huge blow with a 76-72 win at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday night. "We played them at our place without Lee Nailon and they played us here without (Kaspars) Kambala. ... I think that hurt their team."

Indeed, the 6-9, 250-pound Kambala, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week at Tulsa, had a career-high 29 points in UNLV's earlier win at TCU.

Meanwhile, the 6-9 Nailon, considered a possible NBA lottery pick, played just 34 seconds in that one after getting ejected for taking a punch at Rebels point guard Mark Dickel.

In Monday night's rematch, Nailon played just a shade less than 40 minutes and garnered 16 points and 16 rebounds. Kambala exited the arena on crutches.

"(Kambala) was all-World against us last time," Tubbs said. "I don't think a lot of people understand the significance when you lose a tough inside player like that."

It appeared that Nailon, a preseason Associated Press All-American, might not see much action again Monday night after he picked up two quick fouls in the first 7:32.

But Tubbs elected to keep his star big man in the game and the gamble paid off. Nailon didn't pick up his third foul until the 6:57 mark of the second half.

Nailon gave UNLV head coach Bill Bayno an assist for his being able to play almost the entire game.

"I guess their coach wasn't paying attention to it," Nailon said of his early foul problems. "I'm glad he wasn't paying attention to it. I stayed in the whole game.

"I was pumped up," Nailon continued. "The first game I felt I let my team down by getting put out early. I just wanted to keep my head and play smart and come down here and beat these guys on their home floor like they did to us down there."

It was a happy Homecoming for another Horned Frog.

Western High product Prince Fowler finished the game with eight points and nine assists, including two key free throws with 24.1 seconds left that put TCU up by three points, 75-72. He now has 480 career assists, breaking the old TCU mark of 475.

"It was very exciting to come back here and win like that," Fowler said. "I was just glad to sink those free throws and win the game."