UNLV falters in overtime

Steve Addy

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002 | 10:49 a.m.

UNLV players have scored at least 20 points 16 times this season, and opponents have done it 14 times, including two New Mexico players Tuesday. Here are the top five scoring performances for the Rebels and their opponents:

UNLV

31 -- Marcus Banks, vs. Old Dominion, Dec. 30

29 -- Dalron Johnson, vs. Nicholls St., Nov. 20

29 -- Marcus Banks, vs. Tennessee St., Dec. 28

26 -- Marcus Banks, vs. Texas, Dec. 22

25 -- Dalron Johnson, vs. New Mexico, Feb. 5

Opponents

32 -- Brian Greene, Colorado St., Jan. 21

29 -- Ruben Douglas, New Mexico, Feb. 5

26 -- Nick Jacobson, Utah, Jan. 12

24 -- Eric Chatfield, New Mexico, Feb. 5

24 -- Randy Holcomb, San Diego St., Jan. 26

ALBUQUERQUE -- One play here, another play there. Pick any of several out of a hat, turn it in UNLV's favor, and the Rebels probably would have beaten New Mexico on Tuesday night.

Though neither team's performance was suitable for framing, the difference between them was that narrow. But the Lobos emerged with the best kind of salve, an 84-81 overtime victory before 16,476 at The Pit.

The Rebels were able to force overtime on Lou Kelly's 3-pointer with six seconds left in regulation, but they had no mulligans left for the extra five minutes. Their lack of rebounding and inability to keep the Lobos off the free throw line finally doomed them.

Dalron Johnson could have forced a second OT, but his 3-pointer from the right side clanged away with two seconds to play. Lobos guard Ruben Douglas rebounded, capping a fine all-around effort in which he collected 29 points, 15 of 15 free throws, 11 rebounds and five assists.

When Douglas wasn't giving UNLV fits with sturdy drives to the basket, often setting up a dish-off, fellow guard Eric Chatfield was having his way with a career-high 24 points. Johnson scored 25 to become UNLV's 30th 1,000-point man (1,004) and Marcus Banks had a flashy 21, but New Mexico's duo was steadier.

Thus ended UNLV's three-game winning streak, and a promising opportunity was wasted. Instead of reaching the midpoint of the Mountain West schedule with a 4-3 mark and a share of third place, the Rebels are 3-4 and stuck in fifth, three full games behind lead-sharing Utah and Wyoming.

The Rebels were just beginning to dream bigger dreams for their first season under coach Charlie Spoonhour. They've been excused as such long shots for postseason consideration that even an NIT booby prize would happily suit them.

That's why the Rebels weren't satisfied with just playing the Lobos to a close game when a jump in the standings was available. They know they could have easily won it, because New Mexico was equally flawed and running low on confidence after two straight home losses.

Instead, the Rebels fell to 11-8 with two tough home games coming up -- BYU on Saturday and Utah on Monday. Five of UNLV's last seven MWC games are at home, then the Rebels host the conference tournament March 7-9.

"This was a game we could've won, but with the way we did some things, we could have gotten our hats handed to us," Spoonhour said. "We fouled way too much, and we didn't rebound very well.

"We need to put some sand in our pockets, because when we get bumped, we end up two feet under the basket while they're getting the rebound."

New Mexico outrebounded UNLV 52-38, including 24-12 offensively. Among the plays that cost UNLV dearly were two New Mexico free throws that the Lobos rebounded, and they scored on both new possessions.

The first resulted in two Douglas freebies for a 71-68 lead with 28 seconds left in regulation, making Kelly's 3-pointer only good for a tie. In OT, Pat Dennehy boarded Chatfield's free throw and Kelly fouled him. Dennehy's free throws gave the Lobos an 82-77 lead and needed cushion. He finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

"Dennehy found a little niche because our bigs were helping to defend their guards," Johnson said.

"If we rebound those missed free throws, it's a different game," Spoonhour said. "They might still have won, but it would've been harder for them."

Johnson's four blocks gave him 136 for his career. Three more will push him past Keon Clark for fourth on UNLV's all-time list. ...

Saturday's BYU game is at 7:35 p.m. It was listed as a 12:35 game on some tickets, but the time was changed after the TV coverage changed from ABC to SportsWest.