Randy Payton

University of Rio Grande

 

RIO GRANDE —University of Rio Grande men’s basketball scoring legend Clarence “Bevo” Francis offered his congratulations to Grinnell College’s Jack Taylor on his 138-point outing against Faith Baptist Bible on Tuesday night.

Taylor’s performance topped the previous NCAA record of 113 points set by Francis 59 years ago against Hillsdale (Mich.).

“When I scored all those points, I broke someone’s record. Records are made to be broken,” Francis said. “I want to send out my congratulations to the young man for a great night of basketball and wish him all the luck in the future.”

Taylor nailed 27 three-point goals among his 52 successful field goal attempts.

Francis set the record by connecting on 38 field goals and 47 free throws against Hillsdale — in an age before many of college basketball’s current rules.

“The scoring record held by Bevo is a phenomenal accomplishment for that time in history,” said Rio Grande athletic director Jeff Lanham.

“He had no 3-point line, no shot clock and there was no 1-and-1 when you got fouled. Bevo’s always said the record would be broken and he was right. We’d like to congratulate Jack Taylor on a unbelievable night of basketball history.”

Francis, as he’s always done, offered an additional thought on both of the incredible scoring feats.

“We all need to remember that none of these scoring records could have happened if we didn’t have great team members around us,” he said.