Web update: Broncos defeat Montana 60-49

By Ryan Donough

The Santa Clara men's basketball team improved to 7-3 with a dominating 60-49 win over the University of Montana Monday night at the Leavey Center.

The Broncos built a 17 point lead just five minutes into the second half, 42-25. Although Santa Clara struggled down the stretch, committing six turnovers in the final eight minutes, their lead proved to be too much for the Grizzlies to overcome as the Broncos sealed the victory with two free throws from junior guard Calvin Johnson.

The win marked just the second home victory for the Broncos this season, but Santa Clara looked like a team much improved after a disappointing loss to the University of Pacific in their previous contest.

The Broncos won displayed dominating defense throughout the game, holding the Grizzlies to only 33 percent shooting. Head Coach Kerry Keating was pleased with their stalwart defense.

"We did a much better job defensively," Keating said. "Any time you hold a team to 33 percent shooting you are putting in a good effort. We put up 14 less shots than they did and still won the game."

The Broncos were led by junior John Bryant who scored 14 points and brought down 12 rebounds. Senior guard Brody Angley added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win. It was freshman Ben Dowdell who looked like a proven veteran in the victory, continually contributing much needed hustle plays at crucial moments in the game and adding ten points in the Bronco victory.

"It was an adjustment for me but tonight I did the little things and made the hustle plays we needed," Dowdell said on his role as a starter.

Santa Clara began the game energetically on both ends of the floor but especially on defense where they held the Grizzlies to just 29 percent shooting from the field in the first half as the Broncos had a 33-20 advantage heading into the locker room. They also dominated Montana on the glass, out-rebounding the Grizzlies 22-10 in the first half and 37-28 for the game.

The only bright spot for Montana in the first half was from senior forward Andrew Strait who accounted for over half the scoring for the Grizzlies with 11 points. Strait led Montana in scoring with 15 points, while leading scorer, Jordan Hasquet was held well below his average of 15.1 points to only eight on 3 of 10 shooting.

Santa Clara will head to Stanford on Wednesday whom they upset last season 62-46. The Cardinal will see the return of center Brooks Lopez, who will play in his first game after being academically ineligible.

Other Notes:

The Broncos may be welcoming a new addition this season with the possible transfer of sophomore foward Decensae White from Texas Tech. White played 30 games while starting two for the Aggies last season. White was second on the team in field goal percentage and hopes to be on the Santa Clara roster by this season. White played two games for Texas Tech this year, starting one, before making the decision to transfer closer to home. Should White transfer to Santa Clara, he would be forced to sit out the remainder of 2007-2008 season due to NCAA regulations, but would be available as early as mid-December of next season. White, a local high-school standout at Junipero Serra College Preparatory averaged 20.9 points and 10.9 rebounds in his senior season for the Padres.