HENDERSON, Nev. – Santa Clara men's basketball had an opportunity to tie Arizona State at the end of regulation, but ultimately the Broncos fell 82-79 despite holding a 19-point second half advantage. SCU knocked down two late 3-pointers in the final 1:19 to fight back from a seven-point deficit and had two chances to tie the game ahead the buzzer, but neither shot found their mark as the Broncos suffered their third setback of the season to fall to 8-3.
Christian Hammond turned in his third-straight 20-point game with 22 points while
Elijah Mahi chipped in 17 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- It was truly a tale of two halves as SCU knocked down 58 percent from the floor, was 9-of-15 from 3-point range and 10-for-11 at the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes, but was held to 27.3 percent shooting and just 2-for-17 from beyond the arc in the second half.
- ASU (9-2) took full advantage of the Broncos' second half scoring drought by using a 21-2 run to take a 70-66 lead with 7:26 left to play. That lead grew to seven at 80-73 with 2:05 remaining.
- The Broncos had a late surge of their own thanks to consecutive 3-pointers from Hammond and Francis Chukwudebelu to make it a one-point game at 80-79 with 30 seconds remaining.
- SCU was unable to get a stop on the defensive end as a goal tending call gave the Sun Devils a 3-point advantage with just 13 seconds remaining. On the final possession, Sash Gavalyugov had a good look at the top of the key, but the shot rimmed out. The Broncos gathered the rebound and Hammond was able to put up one last desperation attempt, but the shot was blocked to put an end to the contest.
- Santa Clara led the entire opening half and used a 13-1 run midway through the period to take a 35-22 advantage with 6:04 to play. The Broncos then closed the half on a 9-0 run, taking advantage of two technical fouls and an ejection of Sun Devil Head Coach Bobby Hurley as Hammond knocked down all four free throws, and proceeded to bury a layup just before the buzzer on the inbounds play. Santa Clara headed to the locker room with a 55-38 advantage.
- The shooting success from the opening half didn't translate to the second half for the Broncos as they opened the period 3-for-18 from the floor. The Sun Devils took advantage to rally and make it a one-possession game at 64-63 with 9:39 to play. Bukky Oboye finally broke the scoring drought on a layup, but ASU buried a triple on the next possession to tie the game at 66 with 7:58 remaining. A pair of free throws and a dunk from Massamba Diop off of a Bronco turnover then gave the Sun Devils their first lead of the game, which they maintained the rest of the way.
- Santa Clara finished the game 27-for-64 (34 percent) while Arizona State connected on 55 percent (29-53). The teams combined for 31 turnovers with the Broncos scoring 24 points off of ASU's 16.
NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- Hammond was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor and 3-for-3 from 3-point range for 18 points in the first half. It is the third time the sophomore has scored 18 or more in a half this season. He finished the game 6-for-11 and 4-for-8 from 3-point range for 22 points – his fourth 20 point outing of the season.
- Mahi scored 13 points in the first half alone to extend his double figure scoring streak to five, and has done so in nine games on the season. He also pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
- Gavalyugov notched 12 points for his fourth game in double figures on the year.
- Oboye also finished in double figure scoring for the fourth time this season, finishing with 10 points before fouling out with 7:40 left in the contest.
- Thierry Darlan added eight points while Jake Ensminger dished out five assists to go with seven points and three rebounds in his first action since suffering a leg injury late against Saint Louis on Nov. 27.
- Both teams pulled down 31 rebounds. It is the fourth time SCU has tied the rebounding battle.
- Santa Clara finished 11-for-32 from 3-point range. It is the seventh game on the season in which they've connected on 10 or more treys.
POSTGAME COMMENTS:
UP NEXT:
The Broncos will make the short drive down Highway 17 to Santa Cruz for their next two games beginning Dec. 17 against North Texas. Following that, SCU will take on Loyola Chicago to put a stamp on their nonconference schedule.
