PHOENIX – Santa Clara men's basketball picked up a massive victory on Saturday, taking down Washington State, 69-61, at the Jerry Colangelo Classic. The win was the Broncos' third over a Pac-12 team this season. It is the first time since 1954-55 that Santa Clara has defeated three different Pac-12 opponents in the same season (Stanford, Oregon, Washington State).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Broncos opened the game with one of their most efficient halves of the season, shooting 52 percent and limiting Washington State to just 23 percent.
- Santa Clara rattled off a massive 21-1 run to grab an 18-point lead with 3:36 remaining in the half at 35-17.
- Adama-Alpha Bal was the catalyst with 15 first half points while Johnny O'Neil knocked down three triples for nine points.
- Washington State didn't go away quietly, using a 15-3 run to cut the deficit to just 63-59 with 2:51 to play.
- The Broncos put the game away by knocking down all six of their free throws in the must-foul situations.
NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- The 16-point lead at the half was Santa Clara's first 15-point advantage over a Pac-12 opponent in the first half since 2006 at Stanford (28-12).
- Bal finished with a game-high 23 points – his fourth 20-point game of the season.
- O'Neil tallied the first double-double of his Bronco career with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Carlos Marshall, Jr. also finished in double figures with 10 points.
- Santa Clara shot 41 percent (23-56) while limiting Washington State to 33 percent (22-66).
- The Broncos are now 4-6 all-time against the Cougars and 9-10 against Pac-12 teams under Herb Sendek.
- The last time Santa Clara defeated three Pac-12 opponents in the same season was 1954-55 when the Broncos took down Oregon, Oregon State and Cal.
POSTGAME INTERVIEW:
NEXT UP:
The Broncos will make the short drive across town to take on San Jose State inside the Provident Credit Union Event Center on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Tip is slated for 7:00 p.m. PT and will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.
