SAN DIEGO - The Santa Clara men's basketball team (10-6, 2-1) picked up their second conference victory Thursday with an 81-80  win over the San Diego Toreros at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The Broncos saw a 13 point second half lead evaporate quickly, as the Toreros tied it up late, but held on for the victory, making their final four shots from the charity stripe. The Broncos saw four players score in double figures led by senior guard Carlos Stewart Jr. with 20 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After an opening bucket from USD, The Broncos (10-6, 2-1) went on a 10-2 run led by treys from Adama-Alpha Bal and Tyeree Bryan. San Diego cut it to three, but a 12-3 spurt capped off by a trey from Carlos Stewart Jr. put the Broncos up 23-11, as they held the Toreros without a bucket for over four minutes.
• A four point play and two free throws from San Diego guard Joey Chammaa cut the lead to 31-23, and back-to-back jumpers from Toreros forward Santiago Trouet, who led the Toreros with a career high 21 points, made it 35-27 heading into the half.
• Back-to-back treys from Johnny O'Neil and Tyeree Bryan put the Broncos up 48-35, but a trey and putback layup from from Trouet capped a 13-4 Toreros run as they made eight shots in a row to cut the lead to 52-48, forcing a Santa Clara timeout.
• Out of the timeout, back-to-back layups from Elijah Mahi capped a 6-0 spurt, but an 11-4 run for the Toreros (4-11, 1-1) cut the lead to three. Two free throws from Trouet cut the lead to two with four minutes left, and a San Diego three tied the game with three minutes left.
• An 8-2 run capped off by a Stewart stepback three put the Broncos up six, but the Toreros refused to go away. A three pointer from Tony Duckett and a layup from Trouet made it a two point game with 19 seconds left. Stewart knocked down two free threes, part of a 20 point performance, but a layup from Kyjay Bradley Jr., who added 23 points for the Toreros, cut it to two with eight seconds left. Bal hit two game clinching free throws for the Broncos, as a buzzer beating three from Bradley gave the Broncos the 81-80 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• This was the 10th time this season and seventh in a row the Broncos have had at least four players score in double digits.
• Carlos Stewart Jr. led the Broncos with 20 points, his third game this season with 20 or more.
• Camaron Tongue had his first career start, scoring 11 points, his third game of the season in double figures.
• The Broncos have now won six straight at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, and nine of the last 11 meetings over the Toreros.
• All nine players who appeared for the Broncos scored, the first time since last season's WCC semifinal matchup vs. Saint Mary's (3/11/24), and fourth game in the last five with at least nine players finding the scoresheet.
• With the victory, head coach Herb Sendek got his 150th career win at Santa Clara, the fourth most in program history.

POSTGAME COMMENTS:

1st Career Start ?

Hear from Cam Tongue after tonight's win over the Toreros??#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/Kg9mWUPjUg

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) January 3, 2025

Handled business in SD ??

Hear from Coach Sendek on tonight's W ??#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/XjWipsW0s8

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) January 3, 2025

 
UP NEXT: The Broncos return home to Leavey Center for a matchup with Oregon State on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. The game can be streamed on ESPN+, and tickets are available here.