Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Even free points can’t help UNLV

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Ever since he began coaching at UNLV four years ago, Bill Bayno has questioned what his team needs to do to get a break from the referees.

Saturday, his team got the ultimate break. But even an extra two points couldn't help UNLV avoid a calamitous misstep on the Front Range in their 79-76 loss to Wyoming.

The Rebels, who dug themselves a huge hole Saturday at the Arena-Auditorium and never climbed all the way out, were the recipients of a free pair of points during the second half as Shawn Marion hit a jump shot seconds after Kevin Simmons was fouled.

The problem was, Marion should never have been allowed to have possession. In their haste to restart play, referees Dick Ball, Lonnie Dixon and Ed Ristau forgot to award Simmons a one-and-one opportunity at the free-throw line as Wyoming was already over the limit.

The officials caught the error, but not until Marion had hit a 10-footer for two of his game-high 24 points six seconds after Ugo Udezue had fouled Simmons.

Upon finding out they had screwed up, the refs had to let Marion's bucket remain because the rules state you cannot take away a basket that already has been scored. However, the rules also say you can make a correction to an error in applying the rules, and Simmons was permitted to go the line.

The decision sent Wyoming coach Steve McClain, not to mention the crowd of 6,678, into hysterics. And the tirade continued after Simmons drained both free throws, which pulled UNLV within 59-56 with nine minutes to go.

But the Cowboys withstood the gaffe and a late 13-3 UNLV run to finish a disappointing season on a positive note at 17-9, 7-7 in the WAC Mountain.

"They said it was basically a correctable call, so they had to go ahead and shoot the free throws and they couldn't take the basket away," McClain said.

Hoop du jour The referees weren't the only ones malfunctioning at the Double-A Saturday night. The scoreboard fritzed out a couple of times and only the clock was functioning. No other statistical information could be posted. In addition, the UNLV telecast back to Las Vegas experienced technical difficulties during the game with the audio going haywire. ... UNLV heads into the WAC tournament losers of three of their last four and has a 6-4 record over its last 10 games. Not the kind of resume that will impress the NCAA selection committee. ... Marion played hurt Saturday but still managed to score 24 points and grab 14 rebounds. "My stomach was killing me," he said. "It's probably some bad food I ate. It's actually been bothering me for a few days, but it really hurt today (Saturday)." ... It was a tough night for the UNLV backcourt as the guards had 14 of the team's 22 turnovers. Mark Dickel and Greedy Daniels were the main culprits with five miscues apiece. Dickel had just one assist while Daniels was 2-of- 10 from the field.

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