Tuesday, March 18, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Yes, there was a sequel at the Thomas & Mack Center Monday. And this was the one with the happy ending.
Instead of the "Return of the St. Patrick's Day Massacre," UNLV fans were treated to "Senior Night II -- There's No Place Like Home" as the five Rebels who were playing their final home game left the court winners in the hard-fought 89-80 overtime victory over Hawaii in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
There was no St. Paddy's Day blowout like there was four years ago when Southern Cal routed the Rebels at the Mack 90-74. This time, it was more of what fans have become accustomed to seeing when UNLV and Hawaii meet -- a battle to the death.
"This means a lot to me," said senior forward Warren Rosegreen, who had 12 points and eight rebounds in his T&M swan song. "I didn't want this to be my last game and I was going to make sure I came out emotional and make sure my teammates fed off of me."
They did. It took awhile, but eventually, juniors Tyrone Nesby and Keon Clark picked up the slack and helped carry the Rebels to Fayetteville, Ark., for a Wednesday nationally televised quarterfinal date with Arkansas.
"We didn't want to let the seniors down in their final home game," said Nesby, who had 26 points, 15 of them in the final 25 minutes. "We played pretty hard toward the end and I think seeing the seniors motivated all of us to push a little harder."
As usual, the veterans did the little things needed to get the Rebels their 22nd win of the season. Sunshine Smith held Alika Smith, Hawaii's sharp-shooting guard, to just two second-half points after the Rainbow had scorched the Rebels for 14 in the first half.
Kevin James kept Anthony Carter, Hawaii's top gun, in check. And when James drew a charge in overtime, it marked the end of Carter's season as he fouled out with 3:35 to play.
And with Damian Smith struggling to stop Alika Smith, his response was to make him pay at the other end. He had 10 first-half points, including a wild scoop shot in the key at the first-half buzzer that put UNLV up 44-43.
"I'm so happy for the seniors that they were able to go out on a winning note at home," coach Bill Bayno said. "This was a big game for them and to see them battle and lead this team the way they have makes me very proud."
But Rosegreen said there's still some work to be done, beginning Wednesday at Arkansas.
"We've talked about winning this thing," he said of the NIT championship. "And we're a game away from getting that chance.
"We all want to go to New York so we've got to find a way to get energized and leave it all out there Wednesday."
Hoop du jour
* NO EXCUSES: He probably had every right to complain, but Hawaii coach Riley Wallace did the classy thing after Monday's game and refused to blame the disparity of free throws for his team's demise. Hawaii was whistled for 28 fouls, had four of its five starters foul out and watched UNLV parade to the line 36 times to just 11 for the Rainbows. "We have no excuses," Wallace said. "We had our chances and we weren't able to capitalize on them. It was two warrior teams going at it as I expected it would be and the third time was the charm (for UNLV). At the end, it looked like it was their turn to win."
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