UNLV vows to tighten defense after exhibition

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1999 | 10:10 a.m.

The numbers don't lie.

So if the UNLV men's basketball team had to pick a theme song for the way it edged Global Sports, 103-97 in an exhibition game at the Thomas & Mack Center Monday night, it probably wouldn't be Kool and the Gang's 1970s hit "Celebration."

Not that there weren't things to celebrate after the Rebels' first outing against an opponent other than each other, because there were bright spots, namely the offense and the team's willingness to hustle.

Overall, though, two fitting theme songs would be rapper WC's "Better Days" when referring to the defense and Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" when referring to what practice will be like starting today -- a full day of hard work.

"It wasn't no high-fives or celebrating in the locker room," said guard Trevor Diggs, who chipped in 19 points. "We just all got together and talked about what we needed to do better defensively.

"I know I could have played better defensively tonight. We know that if we don't start playing better defensively against higher-ranked teams, we're gonna get our butts kicked. We got a lot of work to do. A lot of work."

Without Issiah Epps, the tallest Rebel at 6-foot-10, the team was outrebounded, 51-39 and allowed Global Sports to score 23 second-chance points while getting only eight. (Epps was serving a one-game suspension for missing a team practice on Oct. 31).

At times, the players looked confused on defensive assignments, leaving gaps for Global Sports to score easy baskets. The Rebels led by as many as 15 in the first half, only to see the lead evaporate into single digits for most of the second.

"We focused on offense early," head coach Bill Bayno said of the team's practices. "We thought we'd be able to make some adjustments (on defense), but we didn't.

"I knew we were gonna be behind defensively. I think this will get us refocused."

Though Bayno used several different lineups and sat starter Donovan Stewart for all of the second half to get Chris Popoola and Danny Brotherson some playing time, the offense offered the most signs of potential.

Senior Mark Dickel recorded a double-double (17 points and 10 assists) in front of his dad, Carl, who is in town from their homeland of New Zealand. Carl coaches the New Zealand Women's National team, which plays the Lady Rebels in an exhibition game on Thursday night.

Dickel had five turnovers in the first half, but none in the second.

Junior Kaspars Kambala, coming back from surgery on his right knee was solid inside.

When pitted against William Peters, a 6-foot-9 center listed at 290 pounds, and Sai Tuialli, a former TCU player who had 18 rebounds, Kambala muscled his way to a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds.

"They're a good team," Tuialli said. "They were running up and down.

"Most of the teams we played didn't do that. If they keep playing that way they'll win by wearing other teams out."

* DYNAMITE DEBUT: Dalron Johnson, the lone freshman on the team, showed his stuff in front of his brother, Darrell Pork, his sister, Kim and a few other family members who drove up from Southern California. He provided 11 points, made some key steals and had three blocks.

* DELIGHTED DICKEL: Carl Dickel enjoyed watching his son perform. "I have to pinch myself at times," Carl Dickel said of his Mark's success. "In New Zealand, especially, you look at America as the pinnacle of success in basketball. My wife and I are thrilled that he's been able to further his education and unbelievably proud that he's been able to play Division I basketball in Las Vegas."

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