Box Score SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara moved into a tie for second in the West Coast Conference standings with a 66-58 win over Portland. The Broncos defense suffocated the Pilots in the first as they built a 13-point lead that would hold up for the rest of the day.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Santa Clara (21-7, 9-4 WCC) had a dominant first quarter.  A 14-2 run to end the period had the Broncos on top 17-4. Portland (17-10, 9-4 WCC) was held to just 2-of-13 from the field in the first 10 minutes.
• The Pilots got their deficit down to single digits with a 6-0 run early in the second quarter but Santa Clara finished the period on a 7-1 run of its own to hold a 30-18 lead at the half.
• The third quarter started with Portland scoring the first five points but the Broncos answered with an 11-1 run that got the lead to a game-high 17 at the 6:01 mark. The period closed with the Pilots cutting the deficit to 45-35 with back-to-back layups.
• Santa Clara's lead was cut to four after the first 75 seconds of the fourth when Portland hit back-to-back 3-pointers. The Broncos stayed calm and came back with a 12-2 run that put them on top 57-43 with 3:44 to go. Portland would get back within single-digits with under a minute to go but it was too little too late.

 
NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• Santa Clara finished the day at 43.5-percent from the floor and went 7-of-16 from deep. Portland was at 33.3-percent and struggled from downtown going 5-of-22.
• Tess Heal led all scorers with 24 points and took care of business at the free throw line going 11-for-13. Olivia Pollerd also had a big day with 18 points, including six 3-pointers in 12 attempts, and pulled down six rebounds with four assists.
• McKelle Meek led Portland with 13 points and four assists. Maisie Burnham added 11 points and nine rebounds and Lucy Cochrane scored 10 with eight boards.

 
POSTGAME COMMENTS:
 

Hear head coach Bill Carr's thoughts after today's win over Portland#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/Cnf0Ld5Yp5

— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) February 18, 2024

HIGHLIGHTS:

Highlights from today's big win!#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/UyfZhYXk73

— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) February 18, 2024

 
NEXT UP

• The Broncos are at San Diego Thursday.