SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Closing out a three-game homestand, Santa Clara women's basketball completed the regular season sweep of Pepperdine Thursday night by a final of 54-46. The Broncos (14-12, 8-8 WCC) got out to the early lead and never looked back as the Waves (8-16, 3-12 WCC) late push came too late.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A pair of 6-0 runs for Santa Clara around two free throws for Pepperdine gave the Broncos a 12-2 lead before the Waves knocked down their first field goal with 1:59 on the clock. At the end of the first, Santa Clara was on top 15-6.
- Pepperdine found their 3-point shooting in the second quarter, knocking down four while the Broncos were 0-of-4, but Santa Clara still held a 26-20 lead at the half.
- It was the Broncos turn to find their range from deep in the third. They connected on their first five attempts, including three in a row from Olivia Pollerd. Overall, an 11-1 run made the lead 43-26. It would stand at 43-28 heading to the fourth.
- The Santa Clara lead would grom to as many as 18 in the fourth quarter but a field goal drought of over five minutes kept it from getting higher. Pepperdine didn't take full advantage and only got going late with a 7-0 run to end the game.
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NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- Santa Clara shot 33.9-percent from the field while going 6-of-20 from beyond the arc.
- The Broncos held a 15-5 advantage in points off turnovers and a 9-0 edge in second chance points while pulling down 11 offensive rebounds.
- Pepperdine shot it at 35.4-percent while finishing 7-of-21 from downtown.
- After having a streak of 10 games in a row with 10 or more points snapped in the last game, Malia Latu was back in double-figures with a game-high 15 while adding five rebounds and three assists. Pollerd finished with 13 points and six boards and Maddie Naro pulled down a career-high seven rebounds.
- Ornela Muca was the only Wave in double figures with 13. Chloe Sotell added eight with two others scoring six each.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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NEXT UP
- The Broncos play at San Diego Saturday at 2 p.m. to begin a three-game road trip.
