LAS VEGAS – Santa Clara men's basketball's run at the 2024 Credit Union 1 WCC Basketball Championship came to an end on Monday as the Broncos were unable to hold off top-seeded Saint Mary's in the semifinal round. The Broncos fell to the No. 21 Gaels 79-65 inside Orleans Arena despite an outstanding individual performance from Carlos Marshall, Jr. Santa Clara finishes the 2023-24 campaign with a 20-13 record.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Saint Mary's knocked down 3-pointers on the first two possessions, setting up a trend that would continue throughout the half. Six of the Gaels 12 field goals in the half came behind the arc, and all six came from Alex Ducas, who was 6-of-7 from distance in the opening 20 minutes.
• Despite the Gael triples, Santa Clara fared well for the majority of the half and tied the game at 23 with just over five minutes to go, however a late 8-0 Gael run propelled them to a 33-26 advantage at the half.
• The Broncos scored five unanswered at the start of the second half to cut the deficit to two scores, but another trey from the Gaels sparked a 13-2 run to regain control for good. Saint Mary's led by as much as 19 down the stretch.
• The Broncos shot 47 percent and knocked down 7-of-14 from 3-point range while Saint Mary's converted on 54 percent of their shots (30-of-56) and was 9-of-24 from beyond the arc.

 
NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• Marshall, Jr. finished with 26 points to lead all scorers. It was his 21^st double figure scoring outing and sixth 20-point game of the season. He was 11-of-20 from the field and 4-of-6 from distance while also pulling down five rebounds.
• Christian Hammond provided a big spark off of the bench with a career-high 13 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting.
• Christoph Tilly had three blocks to go with seven points.
• The Broncos were out-rebounded (35-24) for just the second time this season by a conference opponent.
• Ducas led the Gaels with 21 points on seven treys.

 
POSTGAME COMMENTS: