Box Score MALIBU, Calif. - Behind 25 points from Jalen Williams and a 58 percent shooting clip, Santa Clara men's basketball was able to hold off Pepperdine in Malibu to improve to 19-10, 9-5 in the Broncos' final regular-season game of the season.
Williams stuffed the stat sheet with eight rebounds and six assists to go with his 11-for-15 shooting performance. He was one of five Broncos to reach double figure scoring in the victory, joined by Giordan Williams (15), PJ Pipes (14), Jaden Bediako (13) and Josip Vrankic (10).
Santa Clara finished the game 38-of-66 from the floor (58 percent), and shot 55.2 percent in the second half to power past the Waves.
The Broncos took a 50-43 lead into the locker room. The 50 points were the most they have scored in a half this season. Giordan Williams was one of the main catalysts, coming off the bench to score nine in the period to lead Santa Clara.
The second half saw more good shooting from the Broncos as they built their lead to 12 points with 12 minutes remaining. Pepperdine had an answer, however, scoring eight straight to cut that deficit to 68-64. After some back and forth exchanges over the next four minutes, Santa Clara put their foot on the gas, closing the game on a 13-3 run to put things out of hand and pick up the all important road victory.
Freshman Houston Mallette nearly matched Jalen Williams for the game-high in points, finishing with 24 to lead the Waves. Pepperdine shot 56.3 percent in the opening half as they went toe-to-toe with the Broncos, but were ultimately held in check down the stretch, limited to just 37.1 percent in the second half.
Santa Clara won the battle of the boards 39-30 with Bediako, Jalen Williams and Pipes each tallying eight rebounds.
NOTES
- Josip Vrankic moved up to fifth on the program's top-10 scoring list.
- Jalen Williams notched his 17th game of at least 16 points this season.
- Five Broncos scored in double figures for the 6th time this season. It's the 18th time that four have done so.
- PJ Pipes pulled down a season-high eight rebounds
POSTGAME VIDEO
NEXT UP
- The Broncos will put a bow on the regular season on Saturday as they host Portland for a 2:00 p.m. tip inside the Leavey Center. Santa Clara will honor their seniors prior to tip-off in a special on-court ceremony.
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