Updated on Feb. 6, 2023 to reflect stat change of Keshawn Justice finishing 3-for-7 in 3-point shooting, thus resulting in an 84-70 final rather than 83-70
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Break out the brooms! For the first time since the 2012-13 season, Santa Clara men's basketball has defeated their Bay Area rival San Francisco twice to complete the regular-season sweep. The Broncos, who won 79-67 earlier this season in Santa Clara, put on a dominating team effort on Saturday night in front of the ESPNU cameras in War Memorial, running away with an 84-70 victory.
The victory was Santa Clara's first inside War Memorial since Jan. 17, 2018, and the 13-point outcome was their largest margin of victory inside the building since Jan. 17, 2013 (85-54).
The Broncos (17-8, 5-5 WCC) were clicking on all cylinders offensively and defensively throughout the night. SCU shot 43.8 percent from the floor, including a 51.7 percent clip in the second half, and dominated the rebound battle with 46 to the Dons' 32. That includes 13 offensive boards that lead to 10 second-chance points. The Broncos also locked defensively surrendering just 34.4 percent from the floor and kept the WCC's top 3-point shooting team to 34.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Eight Broncos scored at least once in the victory with five players finishing with at least seven points. The sensational sophomore duo of Carlos Stewart and Brandin Podziemski combined for 48 points with Stewart coming away with 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including a 4-for-6 mark from distance. Podziemski stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, 10 rebounds (eighth double-double this year), five steals and four assists.
Senior Jaden Bediako shook off some rust and was in mid-season form by scoring 10 points to go with six rebounds. Keshawn Justice finished with nine points on 3-of-7 3-point shooting and season-best seven rebounds and Brenton Knapper chipped in seven points off the bench with a perfect 5-for-5 night at the charity stripe.
After a few down games at the free throw line, Santa Clara was back to form as a whole at the stripe with an 18-for-22 performance.
San Francisco's Khalil Shabazz did everything he could to keep the home team in it, finishing with a game-high 31 points (6-of-13 3PT).
The Broncos started the game hot with a 10-0 run midway through the first half giving them a 13-point advantage. That run was headstarted by a nasty dunk from sophomore Camaron Tongue that silenced the crowd outside of the large Santa Clara contingent behind the SCU bench.
��������������
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) February 5, 2023
ON. HIS. HEAD. #StampedeAhead | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/MKVenGQnpH
The Dons (15-11, 4-7 WCC) answered with three-straight treys to cut the deficit to four, but SCU closed the half with a 7-4 run to take a nine-point advantage to the locker room at 39-32. It didn't take long for the Broncos to take control for good in the second half as they built a 15-point lead and led by double digits the rest of the way.
With momentum on their side, Santa Clara will host two home games next week beginning with San Diego on Thursday.
CELEBRATION VIDEO
How's THAT for a response?! ��
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) February 5, 2023
♦️ First win at War Memorial since 2017-18
♦️ First sweep over the Dons since 2012-13
♦️ Largest margin of victory at War Memorial since Jan. 17, 2013#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/nirkzHglEq
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Speaking of big responses, @JadenSayNoMore was back in mid-season form tonight with 10 points, six rebounds and a block ��
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) February 5, 2023
He joined @PassarelliVoice on the postgame show to discuss the victory#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/HxnmyufBXN
Coach Sendek also joined @PassarelliVoice to discuss the big road victory#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/hE7Wm3Btc0
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) February 5, 2023
