LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Santa Clara men's basketball team took down the McNeese State Cowboys 74-67 on Tuesday night at the Legacy Center. The Broncos were led by senior guard Tyeree Bryan who scored 17 points off the bench, one of three Broncos in double figures. The Broncos ended the game on a 7-0 run to secure the victory behind an enormous second half, shooting 16-30 (53.3%) from the field and 7-15 (46.7%) from beyond the arc, outscoring the Cowboys 46-36 in that frame.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• It was a defensive battle early as the Broncos struggled offensively, shooting 1-5 (20%) from the floor, finding themselves down 11-4 after the first media timeout as Christian Shumate led all scorers with eight of the first 11 for the Cowboys. An early 10-2 run put the Cowboys up 16-6 as the Broncos went over six minutes without a bucket, starting 0-9 from three.
• Back-to-back treys from Carlos Stewart Jr. and Johnny O'Neil sparked an 8-0 Broncos spurt to cut the lead to 16-14. However, McNeese responded with a 9-2 push to take a 25-16 lead heading into the under four minute timeout.
• A Jake Ensminger trey cut the lead to 28-25, and three free throws on ensuing possessions from Camaron Tongue made it 31-28 at the half, with McNeese holding a narrow edge.
• Both teams struggled shooting in the first half with the Broncos going 7-26 (27%) from the field, holding the Cowboys to 10-31 (32%) shooting.
• The Broncos came out of the second half hot as three pointers from Stewart Jr. and Christoph Tilly made it a 17-6 extended run to give the Broncos their first lead at 34-31. A three pointer from Adama-Alpha Bal put the Broncos up five, but a 7-2 spurt from the Cowboys tied it at 42.
• The Broncos stifling three point shooting led the way as they answered with a 7-2 run of their own as a Stewart Jr. jumper and a trey from Tyeree Bryan put them up 52-46. At the 12 minute mark, the Broncos were 9-18 (50%) from the field and 5-10 (50%) from three in the second half.
• A 10-2 run by the Broncos put them up 57-48 after a Bryan trey, but a 15-6 push from McNeese tied the game at 63. Two free throws from Bal put the Broncos up 69-67 with 2:40 left, and a clutch three pointer from Bryan put them up 72-67 with 33 seconds left.
• The Broncos held the Cowboys scoreless for the final three minutes, closing the game on a 7-0 run as Tilly hit two free throws to give the Broncos the 74-67 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Three Broncos scored in double figures as Bryan led the way off the bench with a season high 17.
• Stewart had his fourth straight game in double figures with 13, and Tilly added 13, his sixth game of the season in double figures.
• Elijah Mahi followed up his previous career high seven rebounds against Washington with a new career high 10 rebounds tonight.
• Christoph Tilly made a career high eight free throws tonight, including the last two game clinching makes.
• The Broncos shot 18-19 (94.7%) from the free throw line tonight, their highest percentage this season, and most since hitting 21 shots from the charity stripe against Stanford.
• The Broncos snapped a 20 game-home winning streak for the Cowboys, the fifth longest streak in the nation.

POSTGAME THOUGHTS: 

Coach Sendek shares his thoughts on tonight's big win#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/moZfdhsxmm

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

just 1 pt shy of his first career double-double

Elijah joins @PassarelliVoice to share his thoughts on the victory #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/hznlwlQWir

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

 
UP NEXT: The Broncos return home to Leavey Center for a matchup against Fresno State on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. tip.