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Jones Gets His 2nd Straight 30-Pointer

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. - University of South Florida freshman Dominique Jones is quickly proving to be something:

Thirty Something.

Jones became the first freshman in school history with consecutive 30-point games as the Bulls routed Richmond 79-65 Wednesday night at the Robins Center.

Jones also had a career-high 14 rebounds as the Bulls (6-3) won their sixth consecutive game.

"I let the game come to me," said Jones, who also had 30 Saturday against UCF. "Then when it was time for me to take over and do my thing, that's what I do best.

"If my mind lets me feel like I can do whatever I can on the court, that's what I do. Coach Stan Heath is doing a good job getting my mind to that level."

Jones' game is also on another level. "If you on, you on," USF junior Jesus Verdejo said. "He's on."

Early in the second half, the Bulls appeared in trouble. USF trailed 37-33 when leading scorer and rebounder Kentrell Gransberry went to the bench with four fouls with 15:17 left.

"It certainly was a recipe for a loss," Heath said. "On the road, best player is out of the game, the team is struggling to find a rhythm and yet, we got a freshman that's starting to play at a pretty high level."

Jones immediately hit a jumper and then a 3-pointer, sparking a 21-4 run. Jones had 12 points in the run as USF took a 54-41 lead.

With 6:32 remaining, Richmond (4-5) rallied within 56-50 when Jones answered with seven consecutive points to push the margin back to 11.

"I've never had a player go back to back like the last two games he's had," Heath said. "We needed him tonight. He's going to be a marked guy, I know that. He's going to have an X on his back."
Chris Howard had 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Orane Chin added 11 points and nine rebounds, while Gransberry was held to nine points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes.

"Any night Jones can show up and do this," Gransberry said. "It's not surprising. The guys did a great job of picking me up."

In Jones' last two games, he's 19 of 25 from the field.

"We're building a lot of character," Howard said. "Not only did we win on the road, but our big fella, Kentrell, got in foul trouble which let other guys come out and have an outstanding night on the offensive end.

"We showed we're dangerous in a lot of ways."

INSIDE THE GAME

PLAYER OF GAME: Dominique Jones scored 30 points for the second consecutive game and had a career-high 16 rebounds.

STAT OF THE GAME: Last year, Richmond held USF to a season-low 46 points. USF scored 50 in the second half.

TURNING POINT: When Jones signed with USF last year. The Spiders were helpless against the Lake Wales product.

UP NEXT: USF hosts UAB on Saturday at 7.

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