UNLV’s rally instills some much-needed confidence

Steve Addy

Monday, Dec. 17, 2001 | 10:20 a.m.

For the first time all season, the Rebels showed measurable progress Saturday. Now they must prove it didn't have an expiration date.

While rallying from a 16-point halftime deficit to win at Loyola Marymount 70-68, the Rebels (4-3) revealed confidence and wisdom rarely shown in their first six outings, even the victories.

Their poorest half of the season was followed by their best, as they cleaned up virtually all of their lingering problems -- turnovers, fouls, indiscreet shooting and transition breakdowns -- and outscored the Lions 45-27.

More than producing UNLV's first road victory, the methodical rally provided a glimmer of the potential that had been reduced to hushed tones while the Rebels were losing three out of four since Nov. 24.

Even if Saturday's strides turn out to have a 20-minute shelf life, there were enough improvements to bolster the short-term outlook for a team that desperately needed a reason to feel good. The Rebels return to action Thursday at home against Nevada-Reno (7-2).

"If we had lost, there were still good things we could've taken out of the game, but it's so much better when you win," coach Charlie Spoonhour said.

If nothing else, the Rebels would have discovered that responsible defense doesn't necessarily preclude a running offense. In fact, one leads to another. Using fullcourt and three-quarters pressure, UNLV compiled 16 steals, scoring off seven of them in the second half.

"That's something we've tried to emphasize from the start, that we can make things happen with defense," said Spoonhour, though last week he said players were gambling for too many steals.

In the Rebels' other problem areas, they were terrific in the second half, making 18-of-28 from the floor (64 percent), committing only six turnovers and spacing out nine fouls to keep the Lions from parading to the foul line, where they shoot 80 percent.

There were also promising developments among individuals.

The Rebels learned they can safely rely on junior forward Dalron Johnson, who compiled 23 points, 11 rebounds and six steals. After keeping UNLV afloat with 11 first-half points, he supplied four key steals in the Rebels' 26-8 spurt to begin the second half.

More importantly, junior point guard Marcus Banks showed his teammates that his Juco resume wasn't merely hype, and he's capable of being the floor leader they need. Some of them were beginning to wonder.

It wasn't just Banks' gutsy winning layup with 18 seconds to play that revealed his progress. He showed it almost every time he touched the ball in the second half, taking the initiative when aggressiveness was needed and usually downshifting when a lighter touch was required.

Instead of struggling to recognize which situation was which, Banks rarely dribbled the offense into the ditch. He scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half, and finished with six assists against one turnover. He entered with 16 assists and 25 throwaways.

"Marcus showed some patience, and it became contagious," Spoonhour said. "We found out that if we have a little patience, we can still score 45 points in a half. If we don't get what we want the first time, it's OK to take your time, reverse the ball and try something else."

Banks' winning play was impressive, too. UNLV inbounded with 26 seconds to go, tied at 68. Banks sized up defender Kent Dennis, beat him off the dribble up the right side of the lane and finger-rolled the layup over LMU center Greg Lakey.

"That was made to order for Marcus," Spoonhour said. "He made a good play under control."