PULLMAN, Wash. – A shootout broke out in Pullman on Saturday as Santa Clara women's basketball beat Washington State 98-92. The Broncos (15-4, 5-1 WCC) fell behind by double-figures in the first minutes of the game but came all the way back to lead by 15 at halftime. The Cougars (3-16, 2-4 WCC) were undeterred and came all the way back to tie the game late in the fourth, but Santa Clara was able to answer with a run and hold on for the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:Â
- Things didn't start well for Santa Clara as Washington State started the game on a 14-2 run with the Broncos only scoring on two free throws. After trading baskets, Santa Clara went on a 12-0 run with five points from both Ashley Hawkins and Maia Jones to even the score at 16-all. The Cougars would get back up by four, but the Broncos scored the final seven of the period over the last 1:22 to take a 26-23 lead.
- A triple from Hawkins followed by a layup from Jones had Santa Clara up eight before Eleonora Villa made back-to-back 3-pointers to make it a two-point game early in the second. With the lead back down to two, the Broncos used a 10-2 run, the final five points coming from Jones, to extend the lead up to double-figures for the first time. A bucket for Washington State was followed by a 7-0 run by Santa Clara to close the half and take a 53-38 lead into the half.
- A big third quarter got the Cougars right back into the game. They chipped away early in the period and then a 6-0 run by Alex Covill made I just a 62-57 lead for the Broncos. Santa Clara's lead would get back up to nine after Ava Schmidt's triple at the 1:05 mark, but Washington State came back with the final five of the quarter to make it a 73-69 game headed to the final 10 minutes.
- With the Broncos up nine, the Cougars scored seven in a row to get within just one with under seven minutes to go. A Delaney Miller layup put Santa Clara up four, but Washington State scored the next four to tie the game at 86-all with 3:22 to go. Miller made one of two from the line to put her team back in front and Schmidt and Kylee Fox followed with 3-pointers to make it a 7-0 run. The Cougars made it a one-possession game at 93-90 with consecutive buckets and again at 95-92 with a pair of free throws, but the Broncos made three free throws down the stretch to close it out.
NOTABLE:
- Santa Clara shot 43.0-percent (34-of-79) from the field and went 16-of-40 from beyond the arc. The Broncos also connected on 14-of-17 free throws.
- Santa Clara had five players in double-figures and three with 20-plus points, led by Hawkins' season-high 26 on 9-of-16 shooting and four 3-pointers, tying her career-high in a game. She also dished out eight assists to go with six rebounds. Jones scored 23 with five triples and Schmidt dropped a career-high 22 and connected on a career-best five from downtown as well. Miller scored 11 with six rebounds and Kylee Fox scored 10 to go with six boards.
- Washington State shot 48.6-percent (35-of-72) from the floor and was 11-of-21 from deep, including 6-of-9 in the second half. The Cougars were 11-of-16 from the charity stripe.
- Villa led all scorers with 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting and 6-of-9 from range. Charlotte Abraham had a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds and Covill added 20 points, 16 in the third quarter, on 9-of-11 shooting.
- The Broncos held a 26-11 advantage in points off turnovers thanks to forcing 18 while committing eight.
- Santa Clara held an 18-3 edge in fast break points.
- Santa Clara's 16 3-pointers were tied for the second most in program history. They also knocked down 16 at Oregon on November 18, 2023. The program mark is 18 set at Portland on January 8, 2006.
- The 98 points were the most against DI opponent since beating Portland 106-68 on February 23, 2019. It also the most points in the road since winning at Portland 106-42 on January 26, 1991.
- The 15-4 start is the best since the 2000-01 team also started 15-4. The 5-1 start in WCC play is the best since the team also started league play 5-1 in 2007-08.
- Sophie Glancey played just two minutes after getting injured in the early-going.
HIGHLIGHTS:Â
NEXT UP
- The Broncos return home to face Portland Thursday at 6 p.m.
