clarinews@clarinet.com (02/03/90)
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (UPI) -- Nevada-Las Vegas substitute Chris Jeter has been suspended for three games for his part in Thursday night's brawl following the Rebels' 124-90 rout over Utah State, Athletic Director Dr. Brad Rothermal said Friday. Rothermal said Jeter will not be eligible to play in three games, beginning with Saturday's contest against North Carolina State at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. ``Chris Jeter is being placed on suspension and probation and any further incidents of this nature by him will result in his permanent suspension,'' Rothermal said. ``This type of behavior will not be tolerated by any UNLV men's basketball player,'' said Coach Jerry Tarkanian. Seconds before the conclusion of the Thursday game, Jeter and Aggie guard Gary Patterson reportedly were involved in a head-butting incident. Moments after the 12th-ranked UNLV's blow out, Utah guard Kendall Youngblood challenged Jeter to hit him. Jeter obliged, delivering a right hand that sent Youngblood staggering back. The ensuing brawl included UNLV junior forward Moses Scurry firing a couple of punches at Utah State coach Kohn Smith and Rebels' Stacy Augmon and James Jones sent sprawling to the floor by Utah State punches. Scurry has been placed on probation for punching Smith. College officials said other action may result from further review of the incident. However, as of Friday afternoon, Scurry was scheduled to play in Saturday's contest against North Carolina State. Jeter, who claimed to have accidentally bumped heads with Patterson, had to be restrained in the runway leading to the Thomas and Mack dressing rooms as he charged several Utah State players. He initially denied throwing any punches, but college officials later determined, based on eyewitness reports and videotapes, that Jeter did throw the first punch. ``Chris was way out of line,'' Tarkanian said Friday. ``I don't want that kind of action again. I hope this (the suspension) gets the message across.'' Patterson and Youngblood required several stitches to close lacerations to the face suffered in the fight. Smith said the fight might have been a result of comments he made last season about the expensive cars and expensive clothes he perceived UNLV players to own. UNLV beat the Agies 94-68 in Logan the day after Smith's comments, but tempers remained in check following that contest. ``This might go back to what I said last year and what I said then was a mistake,'' Smith said. ``I've apologized over and over again, whether you believe it or not. It was just a dumb thing for a rookie coach to say.'' Tarkanian absolved Smith of any responsibility for the fight. In fact, he lightly embraced Smith as the two exchanged places at the inverview table following Thursday's game. Friday, Nevada-Las Vegas officials issued apologies for the incident and Rothermal expressed his deep regret that it occurred. ``I am truly sorry for this incident,'' Rothermal said. ``I apologize to the Utah State community and to the citizens of Las Vegas. We are going to position ourselves so this doesn't occur again.'' -- This, and all articles in this news hierarchy are Copyright 1990 by the wire service or information provider and licenced to Clarinet Communications Corp. for distribution. Except for free samples, only paid subscribers may access these articles. Any unauthorized access, reproduction or transmission is strictly prohibited. We will reward the first provider of information that helps us stop violators of this copyright. Send reports to reward@clarinet.com.