Irvine’s Jones Comes of Age

Few, except UC Irvine, wanted Ben Jones four years ago. Few, except Jones, wanted to be at Irvine.

Such a marriage of convenience has worked out well.

Jones, considered one-dimensional and slow, inspired other descriptions Thursday in the Anteaters’ 83-78 victory over Long Beach State. “Lethal” and “vital” jumped to mind as he poured in 23 points, pushing Irvine one victory closer to the Big West Conference championship.

Two moments stuck out. Jones scored six of the Anteaters’ last nine points in the first half, pushing them to a 45-40 lead. Then he scored Irvine’s first eight points of the second half.

There were other, less noticeable but significant contributions. Jones had seven rebounds and three steals. He also drew three charging fouls.

Little things that were beyond him when he was fresh out of Sonora High School in 1997-98.

“I guess it has just been perseverance,” Jones said of his four years helping the Anteaters climb from the rubble. “I didn’t really have great seasons before. But every summer I went to the gym. I kept working. Now everything is falling into place.”

Irvine is one victory from clinching at least a share of the conference title, which would be its first in 24 seasons on the Division I level. That’s something that most thought impossible after Irvine went 1-25 in 1996-97. Jones was one of the few players first-year Coach Pat Douglass was able to land.

Of course, it didn’t take much coercing. Jones’ only other Division I offer was from Sacramento State. He looks far different after three seasons, beyond his beatnik-like beard and shaggy hair.

“There was a time when if Ben didn’t make three-point shots, he didn’t score,” Douglass said.

Thursday, he displayed a number of skills as he spun and twisted his way through Long Beach players. Jones made seven of 11 shots, many at crucial moments.

He powered to the basket, then altered his shot, spinning in a reverse layup to give Irvine a 38-33 lead with five minutes left in the first half. He started the second half by grabbing a rebound, then going coast-to-coast for a layup.

When the 49ers took a 49-47 lead three minutes into the second half, Jones nailed a three-pointer. Long Beach went up, 50-49, and Jones countered with another spin move and was fouled. He made both free throws and the Anteaters never trailed again.

“He spent a lot of time in the weight room,” Douglass said. “He can finish drives and post up. He has more endurance.”

Jones has endured the bad times. Now he’s there when things are good.

“Students definitely recognize me around campus now,” Jones said. “Four years ago, I was just some tall guy walking around campus.”