Water Bomb Soaks UNLV Bench in Win at Utah St.

Security was tight and no punches were thrown during the rematch of the Utah State and Nevada Las Vegas basketball teams Thursday night at Logan, Utah. But all was not serene, as The Times reported in Friday’s editions.

When the teams played Feb. 1 at Las Vegas, a brawl broke out after the game and UNLV’s Chris Jeter and Moses Scurry were suspended. Using information on Thursday’s rematch supplied by the Associated Press, it was reported that there were no incidents.

Not until long after The Times had gone to press did the AP correct its report, saying that a water-bomb prank and fans throwing toilet paper had been affected the outcome of the game.

Utah State lost to the second-ranked Rebels, 84-82, and three UNLV points resulted from technical fouls called on Utah State. A toilet paper roll thrown onto the floor in the opening minutes gave UNLV a free throw, and the water bomb gave the Rebels two more.

Just before the second half began, a huge spray of green water erupted behind the UNLV bench, drenching everyone in the vicinity, including Rebel Coach Jerry Tarkanian.

Logan police searched a crawl space below the court after the game and determined that the spray had been emitted from a preset carbon dioxide-triggered water bomb.

The blast left Tarkanian soaking wet and officials suspended the game for five minutes while the water was cleaned up.

The bad blood between the two teams began a year before the Nevada brawl when Utah State Coach Kohn Smith raised questions about the expensive cars UNLV players allegedly were driving.

After the brawl Feb. 1, UNLV’s Jeter and Scurry drew suspensions. Neither player made the trip to Logan for Thursday’s game.