Mustangs outmatched by Rebels

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- They shot an identical 6 of 21 from 3-point land. So why was UNLV so dominant in beating Cal Poly?

Because the Rebels don't need to make threes to win. The Mustangs do.

"The only way we can win is to shoot the ball well from the perimeter," Cal Poly coach Jeff Schneider said Saturday after his team fell to the Rebels 79-67. "They have so many weapons. They're so athletic. We can't match up with them. So we have to try and shoot over them, and we didn't."

Cal Poly averages 11 made treys per contest. But with the Rebels doing a good job of contesting perimeter shots and dominating on the boards, the Mustangs found themselves at a distinct disadvantage.

"The key for us was getting out on their shooters and hitting the boards," UNLV's Bill Bayno said. "I thought we did a good job of contesting and our bench gave us a nice lift."

Greedy Daniels was making shots and harrassing the Cal Poly backcourt defensively. Donovan Stewart had 12 points and five rebounds while turning it over just once. And Chris Richardson, Issiah Epps and Desmond Herod spelled the starters just enough and played good defense.

"They've got a lot of people who can hurt you," Schneider said. "I really like their backcourt. (Mark) Dickel really pushed the ball and Daniels is so quick. They caused us a lot of problems."

Dickel had 10 assists and just four turnovers while Daniels' three steals offset his three turnovers. But his defense helped Shawn Marion have a career night and he also had four rebounds as part of UNLV's 44-rebound total.

"We got a good effort from everyone," Daniels, who scored 16 points, said. "Basically, all I did was go out and play my game. My defense is my best offense."

Cal Poly's backcourt managed just 14 points. Mike Wozniak, who averages nearly 19 points a game, was held to just eight on 3-of-15 shooting.

"We did a great job on their guards," Bayno said. "That was a big key coming in. Mark and Greedy were tremendous."

Hoop du jourHe didn't get a lot of scoring chances, but power forward Kevin Smmons was an unsung hero with his 12 rebounds. Simmons only took five shots. "I was very proud of the way Kevin handled it," Bayno said. "He didn't get a lot of touches but Kev played hard all game." ... Cal Poly, which lost for the first time at home this season and dropped its fourth straight in falling to 5-6 overall, was paced by Chris Bjorklund and Jabbar Washington, both with 21 points. The Mustangs played without top rebounder Jeremiah Mayes, who is still battling back problems. Schneider said he didn't want to risk exposing Mayes to further injury with Big West Conference play beginning later this week. "We're going to need him for league," Schneider said. ... Mott Gym seats only 3,032 but it was a full house for what was billed as the biggest home game in the history of t he program. "It's just like my high school gym," Daniels said. "The band came marching in. ... you don't see that in college." ... UNLV led by as many as 1

7 late in the game and the closest Cal Poly got was three with 15 minutes to go in the second half (45-42). The team took Sunday off and will practice today. ... A reminder that the monthly Rebel Athletic Club luncheon is noon Tuesday at the Si Redd Room and the Thomas & Mack Center.

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