Nov. 18, 2000

Box Score

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Tony Brown scored 22 points as Utah State rallied in the second half Friday to beat Santa Clara 76-67 in the first round of the Top of the World Classic.

Brown converted a three-point play and then sank two more free throws to give the Aggies (1-0) a 63-55 lead with 3:31 to play.

The Broncos (0-1) had held the lead for most of the game until Dion Bailey sank two free throws put Utah State ahead for good with about 9 minutes left in the game.

Santa Clara jumped out early with strong shooting from the perimeter. Justin Holbrook sank three of the Bronco's five 3-pointers in the first half. Holbrook led all scorers with 26 points, including six 3-pointers.

But Utah State rallied to tie the game 20-20 with 6:37 to play in the first half on Curtis Bobb's 3-point basket and then took the lead briefly. Santa Clara rallied, but the Aggies used a more physical inside game to stay close, forcing the Santa Clara defense to collapse and leave Brown open from outside.