Women's basketball begins WCC action with thrilling win

By Blake Twisselman

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Texas-San Antonio 59, Santa Clara 47

Santa Clara lost its sixth straight game, despite the efforts from senior forward Jennie Rondel at the Convocation Center in San Antonio. The Broncos were held to their lowest point total since their 47-point output against Wake Forest in 1988. Santa Clara took an early first half lead, before suffering a 17-0 run by UTSA that was aided by 13 Bronco turnovers in the final 12 minutes in the first half. Rondel had 15 points, eight rebounds, and four steals to lead the Broncos, while junior guard Quinn Thomas added 12 points and four steals. Redshirt freshman forward Tori Markey ripped down 10 rebounds. The Broncos record fell to 3-9 with the loss.

Santa Clara 70, San Diego State 68

Quinn Thomas celebrated her 21st birthday by drilling the go-ahead three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to give the Broncos the non-conference victory at the Cox Arena in San Diego. Santa Clara (4-9 overall) snapped a six-game losing streak with the dramatic win. The Aztecs led by as many as 18 points in the second half, before the Broncos surged back into the game behind a near 60 percent second half shooting percentage. Rondel led all Broncos with 16 points, while freshmen Ashley Graham and Ashley Gonnerman poured in 14 and 12 points, respectively. Thomas finished the night with nine points.

Santa Clara 49, San Francisco 48

Santa Clara started West Coast Conference play with an intense road victory at the War Memorial Gym in San Francisco last Saturday night. Thomas hit the game winner for the second straight match, nailing a jumper with 17 seconds remaining. San Francisco's final shot rimmed off and the Broncos (5-9 overall, 1-0 WCC) pulled out a tough road victory to kick off conference play. Rondel led Santa Clara with 13 points, while Graham dropped in eight points and Thomas added seven points and four assists. The Broncos will travel south this weekend for conference games against Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Eastern Washington 65, Santa Clara 54

The Broncos opened up the new year with a disappointing home loss against the Eagles of Eastern Washington. Junior transfer guard Doron Perkins led the Broncos with 16 points, despite getting into foul trouble early in the game. Sophomore forward Travis Niesen added 13 points and five rebounds in the losing effort. Alvin Snow scored 22 points in the first half, as Eastern Washington jumped out to a 13-point halftime lead. The Broncos were unable to get back into the game in the second half. Santa Clara fell to 8-7 overall in the loss.

Santa Clara 64, San Francisco 53

Santa Clara opened up WCC action with an impressive victory last Saturday at the Leavey Center. The Broncos jumped out to a 21-7 advantage early in the game, before the Dons went on a 19-4 run to take a one-point lead at the intermission. Santa Clara responded behind the shooting of junior guards Ethan Rohde and Kyle Bailey to make a successful second half charge as both Broncos finished the night with double-digit point totals. Santa Clara also dominated in the paint, outscoring San Francisco 28-16 in the post. The Dons played without all-conference player John Cox, who will likely be out for the remainder of the year with an injured knee. Travis Niesen recorded a double-double for Santa Clara with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Doron Perkins added nine points and four steals. The Broncos (9-7 overall, 1-0 WCC) will continue conference play this Thursday at the Leavey Center with a 7 p.m. tip-off against the Pepperdine Waves.