SANTA CLARA, Calif. – A tough day shooting was too much to overcome as Santa Clara women's basketball fell at home to Pepperdine 74-72 Saturday. The Broncos (18-6, 8-3 WCC) were able to get close after the Waves (14-9, 5-6 WCC) built leads multiple times, but each time Pepperdine had an answer, including the game-winning layup with 2.7 on the clock.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Santa Clara started the game ice cold from the floor, missing the first eight shots of the day. After a couple buckets, the Broncos missed their next nine and finished the quarter just 4-for-22 from the field. Pepperdine took advantage with runs of 7-0 and 6-0 and led 17-12 after the period.
- The second quarter didn't start much better for Santa Clara and the Waves scored seven in a row midway through the quarter to get out in front by a game-high 14. The Broncos offense finally got going over the final 3:38 of the period with Maia Jones scoring eight points as Santa Clara closed the half on a 13-0 run get get within 34-33 at the break.
- Santa Clara took the lead to start the half but Pepperdine came right back with a 9-0 run. Down eight, the Broncos got within one on a 7-0 run but the Waves again answered with two quick triples. Ava Schmidt closed the third with a triple to send the game into the fourth with Santa Clara down 57-53.
- Three times in the fourth the broncos tied the score but each time Pepperdine had an answer. With the Waves up five after one of two from the free throw line, Schmidt banked in a three and Ashley Hawkins was found while setting a screen and went to the free throw line with the Broncos in the bonus. She knocked down both to tie things at 72-all. On the ensuing possession, Elli Guiney made a tough layup with 2.7 left and Maia Jones' last second 3-point attempt was just off the mark.
NOTABLE:
- Santa Clara shot just 30.7-percent (23-for-75) from the field while going 11-of-36 from downtown.
- Hawkins led all scorers with 21 and was 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Jones scored 20 with seven rebounds and Schmidt added 14 with seven boards as well. Kylee Fox scored 10.
- Pepperdine shot it at 50.9-percent (29-for-57) and went 5-of-16 from beyond the arc.
- Shorna Preston and Lina Falk both scored 15 with Falk grabbing 10 rebounds for the double-double and Preston just missed with nine boards. Meghan Fiso and Taija St. Maria both scored 14 as well.
- The Broncos had a 13-7 advantage on the offensive glass but couldn't take advantage, getting outscored 13-10 in second chance points.
- Ashley Hawkins moved into 10th place on the Broncos' single-season assist list with her first of the game, her 141st of the season. She is currently at 144 for the season, tied for ninth.
HIGHLIGHTS:Â
NEXT UP
- The Broncos head to Pacific Thursday at 6 p.m.
