Web update: Gonzaga pushes past Santa Clara 52-48

By Ryan Donough

Santa Clara's season ended with another two possession loss on Sunday night when they fell to Gonzaga 52-48 in the West Coast Conference semifinals.

The Broncos pulled to within one on senior guard Brody Angley's layup with 3:48 remaining. Both teams struggled offensively down the stretch until junior guard Jeremy Pargo was fouled with 35.2 seconds remaining. Pargo hit both free throws and Santa Clara had one more possession to try and send the game into overtime.

Angley missed a three point attempt and Abdullah Kuso pulled the rebound down and was fouled with a little over 12 seconds remaining in the game. Kuso made one free throw and Santa Clara was unable to score on the ensuing possession, which ended the game.

Santa Clara was outshot from the free throw line and only attempted 7 free throws in the game to Gonzaga's 18. Of the seven free throws the Broncos attempted, only two were taken in the second half while the Bulldogs shot 16. Head Coach Kerry Keating was frustrated that junior center John Bryant went the entire game without a free throw in what was a very physical game.

"I find it hard to believe that John Bryant can play in a game like that and not get to the free throw line once," Keating said.

The Broncos scored no points off the bench, while Gonzaga's bench scored more than half of the Bulldogs points with 34.

Despite the win, Gonzaga Head Coach Mark Few said Santa Clara was outplaying the Bulldogs.

"I thought for long stretches of that game, Santa Clara played harder than us," Few said.

Bryant struggled for most of the game, scoring 12 points while bringing down six rebounds before fouling out with 12 seconds to go.

Santa Clara was led by Angley with 13 points, who was emotional after his final game as a Bronco.

"I thought there were times we were going to win, but sometimes the ball rolls the other way," Angley said. "I am very grateful to have been a part of this program. It has been fun but all things have to come to an end."

Few spoke to Angley after the game and congratulated him on a great college career.

"He has always been a player I have admired," Few said. "He is a great competitor who has a future somewhere else."

With the loss, Keating finishes his first season with the Broncos and looks forward to his next one with Santa Clara.

"I think there is a lot of potential for us to become one of the better teams in the conference," Keating said. "Our goal every year is to get better."