SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's basketball won its ninth game of the season on Sunday with an 80-39 victory against Menlo. Outside of a slow third quarter, the Broncos offense and defense were on point leading them to their best start since the 2015-16 season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Close through the first five minutes, Santa Clara (9-2) rattled off 13 consecutive points near the end of the first quarter to build a double-digit lead that that never dipped below 11.
• A 19-5 run in the second behind three 3-pointers blew the game open and gave the Broncos a 46-20 lead at the break.
• The offense went cold in the third shooting just 3-for-15 to bring down the team's overall numbers.
• Things picked back up in the fourth and a 15-0 run turned things into a blowout.

 
NOTABLE NUMBERS:

•  Santa Clara shot 41.4-percent from the field and knocked down nine 3-pointers. The Broncos held the Oaks (4-4) to just 24.6-percent shooting and an 18.8-percent mark from downtown.
• Santa Clara grabbed a season-high 57 rebounds, including 20 on the offensive end.
• Olivia Pollerd led all scorers with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting and pulled down five rebounds. Tess Heal had an strong all-around game, scoring 10 with eight assists and six rebounds. Marya Hudgins just missed a double-double with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds while Keeley Frawley pulled down nine boards as well.
• Kiara Brown was the only Menlo player in double-figures with 17 points. She also had a team-high-tying five rebounds. Jordyn Rosette scored seven and was the only other Oak with more than four points.

 
OTHER NTOES:

•  At 9-2, the Broncos are off to their best start since beginning the 2015-16 season 13-2. That season they won 23 games and made the WNIT.

 
POSTGAME COMMENTS:
 

Hear from head coach Bill Carr after today's win.#StampedeTogether. pic.twitter.com/wk0dY2MsDW

— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) December 11, 2023

HIGHLIGHTS:

Highlights from a win are always fun to watch!#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/VCgKzYkvj5

— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) December 11, 2023

 
NEXT UP

• The Broncos play at Oregon State Friday at 6 p.m.