Feb. 1, 2003
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Blake Stepp scored 26 points and the Gonzaga Bulldogs beat Santa Clara 96-62 in a West Coast Conference game on Saturday.
Ronny Turiaf added 16 points and Tony Skinner had 15 for the Bulldogs (16-5 overall, 7-0 WCC), who led 26-6 after holding the Broncos to two field goals in the first 13 minutes.
It was Gonzaga's eighth straight victory and 18th WCC win in a row.
J.R. Patrick led Santa Clara (11-9, 2-5) with 16 points, while Brandon Rohe added 14.
Stepp sparked Gonzaga in the first half by sinking five of eight shots from 3-point range. The Bulldogs outrebounded Santa Clara 23-9 in the first half and 42-22 for the game before the usual sellout crowd of 4,000 at Martin Centre.
Gonzaga outscored Santa Clara 32-8 in the paint.
The Bulldogs won their fourth in a row at home since Saint Joseph's ended the Bulldogs' 29-game home winning streak Dec. 31. Gonzaga is 18-0 at home in league games the last three years and 52-2 overall at home the last five seasons.
Stepp, a junior guard, tied his career high with seven 3-pointers (in 13 attempts). He also had seven assists and no turnovers in 34 minutes.
Gonzaga outshot Santa Clara 57-34 percent from the field, including 52-37 percent on 3-pointers.
