Nov. 21, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - There are very few similarities between the men's basketball programs at Santa Clara University and UC Irvine.
Santa Clara's first season of men's basketball was in the 1904-05 season. UC Irvine's was 61 years later. The Broncos have played in Division I for as long as there has been one. UC Irvine joined the NCAA's highest level of competition in 1977-78.
On Tuesday, however, Santa Clara travels to Irvine for the first time ever to play the Anteaters in only the second-ever meeting between the two schools. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Irvine's Bren Events Center (capacity 5,000). Live radio coverage will be available in the Bay Area on KNTS-AM (1220) and via the Internet through Broncos All-Access.
The Broncos enter Tuesday's game with a 1-0 record after defeating Cal State Stanislaus by a score of 97-53 in its season-opener last weekend. Santa Clara equaled the fifth-highest single game rebound total in school history as it outrebounded the Division II Warriors by a 61-41 margin. Stanislaus attempted 47 three-point field goals, easily eclipsing the record for a Bronco opponent.
Five different Santa Clara players scored in double-figures, led by freshman Calvin Johnson's 19 points, and every Bronco who suited up scored at least two points. Sophomore Mitch Henke scored 15, while senior Travis Niesen added 14, junior Brandon Rohe scored 11 and freshman John Bryant chipped-in 10. Bryant also led all rebounders with 15.
UC Irvine is also 1-0 on the season following a 79-63 win at Stanford on Saturday. Senior guard Ross Schraeder scored 19 points and sophomore post Darren Fells added a career-high 18 in career win number 500 for UCI head coach Pat Douglass.
13th-ranked Stanford was the highest-ranked opponent UCI has defeated since a 74-70 win over No. 7 UNLV March 11, 1988, in the PCAA (now Big West)Tournament.
UCI trailed only after the opening basket of the game and led 43-35 at halftime as Schraeder scored 15 of his points in the opening 20 minutes. The Anteaters shot 69.2 percent from the floor in the first half, including 75 percent (6 of 8) from behind the three-point stripe.
UC Irvine knocked-off Santa Clara last season in the Leavey Center by a score of 70-58 in the only previous meeting between the two schools. The Broncos shot just 32 percent from the field and 24 behind the three-point arc in the game.
Following Tuesday's game at UC Irvine, the Broncos return home for a 7 p.m. contest on Saturday against the University of the Pacific in the Leavey Center. For tickets, call 408/554-4660 or click here.