CORVALLIS, Ore. – Santa Clara men's basketball opened WCC play in a big way on Sunday evening, taking down Oregon State in dominant fashion with a 102-64 victory inside Gill Coliseum. The Broncos shot 63.6 percent from the floor - their best shooting performance since 2017 - as they picked up their ninth-consecutive win in conference openers under Herb Sendek. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Santa Clara (10-4, 1-0) put together one of their best all-around performances of the season on both sides of the court. Six Broncos scored 10 or more points led by a season-high 23 from Elijah Mahi. 
• SCU knocked down 35-of-55 attempts from the field while allowing just 37 percent defensively (18-of-49). The Broncos knocked down 15-of-27 from 3-point range (56 percent), forced 16 turnovers resulting in 24 points, and out-rebounded the Beavers 33-22. 
• The Broncos absolutely dominated the opening half as they knocked down 60 percent from the field (18-of-30) while holding Oregon State (7-7, 0-1) to just 28 percent en route to racing to a 53-20 halftime advantage. SCU was 8-of-17 from 3-point range and a perfect 9-for-9 at the charity stripe, and forced nine first half turnovers that resulted in 15 early points.
• The opening half saw a balanced scoring attack with six Broncos scoring six or more in the opening 20 minutes. Christian Hammond and Theirry Darlan led the charge with nine points apiece.
• The Broncos were even better in half No. 2, converting on 68 percent (17-of-25) with a crisp 7-for-10 mark from 3-point range as they pushed the lead up to as much as 40 in the final minute. 
• The win was Santa Clara's first over Oregon State in Corvallis since Dec. 12, 1952. The Broncos are now 2-5 all-time against the Beavers inside Gill Coliseum. 
• The Beavers were led in scoring by Josiah Lake II, who notched 19 points to go with five assists. Oregon State scored the bulk of their 64 points from 3-point range with 11 of their 18 total field goals coming from beyond the arc. 

NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• Santa Clara's 63.6 shooting percentage was their best since hitting 63.9 percent in a 106-55 win over Pepperdine on Feb. 16, 2017.
• The 38-point margin of victory is tied for Santa Clara's sixth-largest in a road game in program history and is the most in a road game since a 47-point win at Portland last season.
• SCU had six players score in double figures for the second time this season. It is the third time that at least five players have scored 10 or more.
• 102 points are the most the Broncos have scored this season and their most since turning in 103 at Gonzaga last season. 
• Mahi turned in his second-consecutive 20-point game and his sixth such game of his Bronco career. The senior also had six rebounds in the winning effort and knocked down a career-high five treys (5-of-7). 
• Mahi has a scored in double figures a team-best 12 times this season.
• The Broncos' 15 treys gave them their ninth game with 10 or more on the season, and their second with 15 or more. 
• Jake Ensminger scored a season-high 13 points for his third double figure scoring game of the season. He also led the team in rebounding with eight boards and had three assists, two steals and a block. 
• Thierry Darlan scored a career-best 14 points to go with five rebounds and two blocks.
• Brenton Knapper tied his season-high of 13 points and dished out five assists. 
• Bukky Oboye tallied 10 points for his sixth double figure scoring game of the year and third of the last four games. The big man also logged five rebounds and a pair of steals before fouling out with 9:10 left in the contest.
• Allen Graves tallied his eighth double figure scoring game with 12 points to go with four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and a pair of assists.
• The Broncos tallied 12 steals for their sixth game of the season with 10 or more.
• Santa Clara logged 21 assists for their sixth game with 20 or more on the year.

POSTGAME COMMENTS: HIGHLIGHTS: NEXT UP:
The Broncos will remain in Oregon to take on the Portland Pilots (7-7) on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. PT.