Nov. 26, 1999

HILO, Hawaii (AP) - Nathan Fast scored nine of his 23 points in overtime and Santa Clara went 9-for-9 from the free throw line in the extra session, beating Rhode Island 79-70 Friday in the opening round of the Big Island Invitational.

The Broncos (2-0) will face top-ranked Cincinnati, which beat Cleveland State 91-56, in Saturday's semifinals.

Brian Jones, who missed all last season with a knee injury, gave Santa Clara a 57-56 lead with a 3-pointer with 1:53 left in regulation. Tavorris Bell, who led the Rams (0-2) with 27 points, hit a 3 with 1:03 left to put Rhode Island up by two.

Jones, who finished with nine points on 3-for-15 shooting and had eight assists, hit a tough 14-foot jumper as the shot clock expired to pull the Broncos even with 25 seconds to play.

Rhode Island missed a chance at the win in regulation when Zach Marbury's shot was off as he drove the lane with four seconds left.

Santa Clara took the lead for good on a layup by David Emslie with 3:01 left and Fast followed with three free throws after he was fouled attempting a 3 and a jumper. Rhode Island was within 72-69 with 58 seconds left on a drive by Marbury, but Darrell Teat, who led Santa Clara with 25 points, hit a 3 with 46 seconds left and Fast added two free throws 14 seconds later.

Fast finished 12-for-13 from the foul line as the Broncos went 22-for-31 (71 percent).

Bell finished 6-for-6 from the field and 13-for-16 from the foul line and grabbed nine rebounds, while Luther Clay had 19 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots for the Rams.