Dec. 19, 2006
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Despite putting up a strong effort on the road at one of the country's most storied arenas, the Santa Clara Broncos fell 74-60 to the Kentucky Wildcats in front of 21,961 fans. Mitch Henke tied his season high with 17 points, while Danny Pariseau added 14 points in the loss. Randolph Morris had 23 points and a career-high 13 rebounds as Kentucky stretched its winning streak to four games. The loss snapped Santa Clara's three-game losing streak as the Broncos fell to 8-4 on the season.
Early on it appeared the SCU might spring an upset as Pariseau scored five points and set up Henke for a three-point play to give Dick Davey's squad an early 9-3 lead. However, the Wildcats got back into the game and took an 10-9 lead with 13 minutes left in the half.
After trading baskets for most of the half, Kentucky (8-3) got some breathing room as it pulled out to a 30-23 lead with Morris scoring six straight points. However, Pariseau kept the Broncos hopes alive at the half by scoring five points in the final minute to send the teams to the locker room separated by only two points.
After an 8-2 spurt to open the second half by Kentucky put the Wildcats up by eight, the Broncos fought back again to get within four. They appeared ready to cut the lead to two points but a Brody Angley lay-up was blocked on an apparent goaltending violation. At the other end, Michael Porter nailed a three-pointer to give Kentucky a seven-point cushion.
SCU would get within one point with 13:52 remaining on a Pariseau jumper, but the Wildcats would not relinquish the lead. They scored six straight to pull out to an eight-point lead.
While the Broncos kept it close the rest of the way, they would not get within more than five points. A three by Angley briefly gave SCU hope with six minutes left, but Morris answered with a fast break dunk to keep the Broncos at bay.
The crowd of 21,961 was the largest ever to attend a regular season game involving Santa Clara.
Santa Clara now returns home for six straight home games beginning with a matinee match-up against the Utah State Aggies on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 1:00 p.m. PT.
