SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Santa Clara men's basketball opened the 2024-25 season with an 85-78 victory over Saint Louis University on Monday, Nov. 4 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Five Broncos scored in double figures, highlighted by senior guard Adama-Alpha Bal with 24 points, and senior forward Camaron Tongue, posting a career high 18 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Adama-Alpha Bal scored seven of the first nine points for the Broncos to put them ahead 9-4 early. A jumper from Camaron Tongue made it 11-6 Broncos heading into the first media timeout.
• Back-to-back Broncos three pointers from Elijah Mahi and Camaron Tongue put the Broncos up 21-12. However, Saint Louis fought back tying the match up at 23 heading into the under-eight minute timeout. Saint Louis took a 33-28 lead, but the Broncos went on an 8-0 run capped off by a jumper by Bal to put them back up 36-33. A three pointer by Tyeree Bryan capped off a 7-0 Broncos to end the half up 48-41.
• A three pointer from Christoph Tilly put the Broncos up 58-50, but Saint Louis cut it to 62-61 with 12 minutes left. Back-to-back three pointers from Tyeree Bryan put the Broncos up 72-63, their largest lead of the game to that point.
• An Adama-Alpha Bal three pointer extended the lead to 77-65 with six minutes left, but an 8-0 Saint Louis run cut it to 77-73 with 4:37 left. Saint Louis cut it to three, 81-78, with 2:37 left, but that's as close as they would get as the Broncos pulled away down the stretch converting at the free-throw line for an 85-78 victory.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Five Broncos scored in double figures: Bal (24), Tongue (18), Tilly (17), Bryan (12), and Mahi (10).
• Camaron Tongue's 18 points was a career high.
• Elijah Mahi added 10 points in his first game as a Bronco.
• Christoph Tilly tied a career high 8 rebounds, and Carlos Stewart Jr. tied a career high 5 assists.
• Adama-Alpha Bal posted the tenth 20-point outing of his career.
• The Broncos won their opening day contest for the sixth straight year.

 
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS:

Starting things off with a W ??

Coach Sendek recaps today's win in SD ??#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/nhbfCxBLhs

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 4, 2024

Headed back home 1-0

Hear from Cam Tongue on today's win??#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/D2pBAHPbv4

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 4, 2024

 
UP NEXT: The Broncos will travel to Las Vegas for a matchup with Arizona St. on Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. at Lee's Family Forum for the Las Vegas Hoopfest.