Jan. 8, 2003
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Santa Clara University men's basketball team opens its 51st season of West Coast Conference competition Saturday when it travels to the University of San Diego for a 7 p.m. tipoff at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
The Broncos completed the non-conference portion of its schedule last weekend with a 75-53 loss at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, which snapped a six-game win streak. Santa Clara's nine non-league wins are the second-most for a Dick Davey-coached team and the Broncos currently own the WCC's best record.
Freshman Brandon Rohe is Santa Clara's top scorer, averaging 12.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He also leads the team in assists with a 2.8 per game average. Rohe enters the weekend tied for third with former Bronco star Brian Jones on the school's list for the most three-point field goals for a freshman with 28. He is fifth on the attempts list with 65.
Dick Davey's squad expects the return of sophomore point guard Bakari Altheimer, who has missed all 13 games thus far this season due to a broken foot. He scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the exhibition contest against the Olympic Club. Conversely, Santa Clara announced this week the loss of junior guard Kyle Bailey, who will miss the rest of the season due to back and foot injuries.
The WCC leaders in field goal defense, Santa Clara is limiting opponents to just 40.8 percent shooting from the field and 66.8 points per game, which is second in the league. On the boards, the Broncos lead the conference in rebound margin, outpacing opponents by an average of 6.4 per game.
San Diego enters a Wednesday night game against cross-town rival San Diego State with a 6-6 record and a three-game losing streak. The Toreros opened the season with three-straight wins, including an 86-81 overtime win at UCLA. USD is averaging 74.2 points and a league-leading 38.8 rebounds per game.
Santa Clara plays road games at Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine before returning home Jan. 22 for its league home opener against San Francisco. For a complete schedule, click here.
For tickets to Santa Clara basketball games, contact the athletic ticket office at 408/554-4660 or click here.
