Basketball season tips off Friday: Men's

By Matthew Cucuzza

After all John Bryant experienced during the offseason, a little blood couldn't slow him down.

The senior center left the court temporarily after a rebound hit him in the face, bloodying his nose midway through the second half of Friday night's 93-65 exhibition victory over Cal State Monterey Bay.

"I have a very sensitive nose," Bryant said with a grin.

Bryant, who is one of the leading candidates for West Coast Conference Player of the Year, had an eventful offseason.

In addition to slimming down to 275 pounds, a meager weight for his 6-foot-11-inch frame, Bryant was stabbed three times during an altercation in the early morning of Sept. 27. His wounds required 14 stitches.

He said he experienced no lingering effects from the injuries.

Bryant led the Broncos with 19 points and out-rebounded the entire Monterey Bay team 21 to 19 in Santa Clara's home win.

"Coach (Kerry Keating) has been emphasizing rebounds, both on offense and defense," Bryant said. "I went out there with the mindset that I would grab every board that I can."

Keating was happy about the victory, but admitted there is work to be done before Friday's regular season opener against Cal State East Bay at 7 p.m.

"We can see a lot of jitters out there, a lot of guys not knowing where to go," Keating said. "By no means do we feel really satisfied. We know we have a lot more to get done."

The Broncos kept their discipline, allowing Monterey Bay only eight attempts from the free-throw line. Santa Clara was 34 for 52 from the no-jump zone.

Keating said free throws are something he wants the team to improve upon before the regular season.

"I'm disappointed we didn't have a better free-throw percentage," Keating said. "We've been shooting free throws religiously."

Junior Perry Petty scored 17 points in 24 minutes for the Broncos in his first game since transferring from Allen County Community College.

Perry said his Santa Clara debut went better than he had anticipated, though he is still adjusting to Division I basketball.

"Coming out of junior college, I was more of a scorer, do-it-myself type of guy," Petty said. "The adjustment I'm making here is to put the team first and make plays for others. Get the ball to my teammates in the right places for them to score."

Though happy with the exhibition victory, Bryant prefers not to read too much into a win over a Division II opponent.

"We just need to get the experience," Bryant said. "I feel that's what we're lacking right now."

Contact Matthew Cucuzza at (408) 551-1918 or at mcucuzza@scu.edu.