Nov 27, 2002
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Kyle Bailey scored 20 points, including four clutch free throws in the final 13 seconds, and Jim Howell added 18 points to lead Santa Clara to a 69-66 non-conference men's basketball victory Wednesday night.
The Broncos (3-0) of the West Coast Conference led 50-41 with 10 minutes left in the game, but Montana State closed to within 52-49 at 6:45.
Santa Clara then outscored the Bobcats 10-2 to lead 62-51 with 59 seconds left. Howell scored five of the points on two strong driving layups and a free throw.
However, Montana State of the Big Sky Conference (1-1) kept the pressure on, as guards Pete Conway and Jason Erickson each hit two three-point shots in the final minute.
Erickson also made a driving layup in the last minute, while Conway added a foul shot. Erickson's running three-pointer from the right made it 67-66 with 7.2 seconds remaining, but Bailey made two free throws with 5.5 seconds left.
A long three-pointer by Montana State's Danny Faaborg missed at the buzzer.
Cord Anderson of Santa Clara had 11 rebounds for the game high. Howell had eight rebounds for the Broncos.
Conway led Montana State with 19 points, and Erickson scored 17. Casey Reynolds grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Bobcats.
Montana State began the game by hitting its first four shots and jumping to an 11-2 lead, but Santa Clara then made a 10-2 run of its own to get back in the game.
The Broncos gained the lead midway through the half and held a tenuous 29-28 halftime advantage.