Turner seizes chance to help the Rebels after weeks of frustration

Steve Addy

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002 | 10:19 a.m.

WHAT: San Diego State (16-10, 5-6 MWC) at UNLV (15-9, 6-5)

WHEN: Saturday, 7:35 p.m.

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center

TV: Las Vegas ONE (Ch. 1 and 39)

RADIO: KBAD 920-AM

Of all 94 minutes Ernest Turner has played for the Rebels this season, it took only two minutes to chalk up his luckiest break and luckiest bounce.

When Vince Booker fouled out with 15 seconds left in regulation Monday at Colorado State, Turner was put in a tense late-game situation for his first time with UNLV. Luckily for him, No. 1 backup Jevon Banks was unavailable because of a bum ankle, so Turner got the call.

Then, two minutes into overtime, the freshman guard made his biggest basket of the season, getting a lucky bounce off the rim on a jumper from the right side. The ball bounced five feet high, well above the backboard, and fell straight through the net.

"That definitely felt good," the 6-foot-2 Turner said.

It was Turner's only basket in five attempts, but it capped a seven-point run that gave the Rebels a 90-83 lead with 3:08 left, shortly after they had sneaked into overtime on Lou Kelly's three free throws after regulation expired.

It was rare to see Turner on the court in the second half, let alone all five minutes of overtime. Of his 83 prior minutes, only 31 had been in the second half, and 20 of those came in routs of Nicholls State and Tennessee State.

Turner had played only 20 minutes in UNLV's first 10 Mountain West games -- only four after halftime -- but all 11 at CSU were in the second half and OT.

Though the unavailability of Booker and Banks led to Turner's opportunity, it was clearly the most trust coach Charlie Spoonhour has shown in him. Turner has played in 14 of UNLV's 24 games, but only three of the last 10.

"The reason I had him out there was I just knew he was going to make one of those shots," Spoonhour said. "If you give him open looks in practice, he buries them. I felt he could help us if Book got in foul trouble."

In a season that hasn't met Turner's playing time expectations, Monday's outcome brought his smile out of hiding. He was finally able to contribute to a victory that wasn't decided long before he got on the floor.

"I was nervous in overtime, but after I ran up and down the court a couple of times, the jitters were gone," Turner said. "After I made that shot, I was cool."

The Rams barely guarded Turner, probably because their scouting report didn't mention him. He didn't play in the teams' first meeting, the Rebels' 75-68 home win on Jan. 21. Turner took two more shots in overtime, but both missed.

"Coach didn't tell me to shoot," he said. "I was open, so it would be bad if I didn't shoot."

Turner also helped the Rebels get into overtime by rebounding Andy Birley's missed free throw with three seconds left and passing to Kelly. Kelly dribbled past midcourt, was fouled by CSU's Jon Rakiecki on a desperation 3-pointer and made three free throws to tie it 83-83.

It is unknown if Turner's performance will lead to more playing time in UNLV's final three regular-season games and the Mountain West tournament. Turner and his guardian, Rick Barrett, also say they haven't decided if he will return to UNLV next season.

"I don't know yet," Turner said. "I don't want to say something now and regret it later. We have more games to play, and I'll play hard."

Barrett has vowed to take Turner elsewhere if his role doesn't greatly expand, but said he will discuss Turner's status with Spoonhour after the season.

"If Spoon is not going to play the kid, he should let him go," Barrett said Wednesday. "I don't think (Spoonhour) has built trust with Ernest as well as he could have, and he hasn't played him. I wish it could've worked out better, but Ernest isn't the kind of kid who will complain."