Nov. 12, 2000
Postgame Audio
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Senior Brian Jones showed why he should be considered one of the top senior basketball players in the country with a double-figure scoring and rebounding performance in Santa Clara's 73-65 win over Korabel, a club team from the Ukraine, Sunday at Bellarmine Prep.
The Carson, Calif. native scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds playing both the point and off-guard positions to lead the Broncos to victory in their final exhibition game of the preseason. Jones, who shot 10-of-17 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free throw line, scored 21 second half points to help claim the win for Santa Clara.
Senior forward Jamie Holmes (Merced, Calif.) was the only other Bronco to score in double-figures. He also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Oleksande Rayevskyy led Korabel with 25 points in the final game of their seven-game U.S. tour. Korabel ended its tour with a 2-5 record with wins over Idaho State and Montana State.
"Every game is a chance to grow a little bit more as a team," said Santa Clara Head Coach Dick Davey. "Even though some of the younger kids didn't play well, it gave them a chance to get their feet wet again and I think that is important. We were a little bit more mature offensively. This game was a good learning experience for our team."
Santa Clara played without the services of its two top centers. David Emslie and Stephen Dely missed the game, as did forward Andre Bobbitt. All three were suffering from minor injuries and should return to action in the regular-season opener later in the week.
Santa Clara will open the regular season on Nov. 17 against Utah State in the first round of the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. (Pacific) in the Carlson Center at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. All Santa Clara men's basketball games will be broadcast live locally on the radio by KBZS 1220 AM as well as worldwide on the Internet at www.SantaClaraBroncos.com.