Dec. 19, 2005

Dallas, Texas - Baylor's men's basketball team, still more than three weeks from its first game, broke the monotony of its three-month preseason Monday when it held a closed scrimmage at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Bears do not tip off their regular season until Jan. 11, 2006 due to NCAA sanctions stemming from the previous coaching staff.

The Bears played a series of five 10-minute sessions at the home of the Dallas Mavericks, and the players alternated teams each session. Sophomore Aaron Bruce topped the combined stats with totals of 28 points and 11 assists. Junior Patrick Fields added 26 points and freshman Henry Dugat scored 25. Senior Tommy Swanson had a team-high 12 rebounds.

"We're pleased with the trip because we were able to accomplish everything we set out to do," head coach Scott Drew said following the scrimmage. "We fashioned this like a typical road trip and anytime you get to practice at the American Airlines Center is great. The guys would rather scrimmage than practice, and I think they had a good time."

Monday's scrimmage was the second official scrimmage of the preseason. The Bears held a Centennial Tip-Off Scrimmage in November. The 2005-2006 season marks the 100th year of Baylor basketball and the program is celebrating its centennial season, which will be highlighted by the naming of an All-Centennial Team in February. Voting for the team begins in January.

The Bears open their season Jan. 11 at Texas Tech. The first home game is Jan. 14 when Baylor hosts Oklahoma State at the Ferrell Center.

BAYLOR SCRIMMAGE, Dec. 19, 2005 - American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Bruce (28 pts, 11 asst., 7 reb.), Bush (11 pts, 6 reb.), Diene (14 pts, 3 blk., 9 reb.), Dugat (25 pts, 5 stl., 5 reb.), Fields (26 pts, 6 asst., 5 reb.), Hurd (11 pts, 3 reb.), Jerrells (20 pts, 4 asst., 5 reb.), Rogers (14 pts, 5 reb.), Shepherd (13 pts, 5 reb.), Sims (4 pts, 3 asst., 3 reb.), Swanson (12 pts, 12 reb.), Vanttaja (5 pts, 2 reb.)