Dec. 12, 2001
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's basketball team defeated Pacific 70-61 in non-conference action tonight at the Spanos Center. The victory was the third straight for the Broncos (6-2) over the Tigers (3-4) and the eighth in the last 10 games of the series.
Santa Clara had three players reach double figures, led by junior Tammy Annas' 16 points. Senior guard Becki Ashbaugh and freshman forward Kim Butler added 11 each. SCU was led defensively by Butler's seven boards.
Although both teams combined for 24 turnovers in the first half, it was the Broncos that led by 17 at intermission, with a 40-23 advantage after freshman guard Quinn Thomas nailed a three-pointer from the far side with 1.3 seconds left in the period. Santa Clara opened up an early lead with its inside game, as starting forward Julie Butler was able to score three easy baskets down low before sitting out the half on the bench due to early foul trouble. Junior forward Kendra Rhea and Annas, as well as sister Kim, kept up the pace and added 14 points from the post.
The Broncos continued to fine tune the transition game in the second period, including two lay ups by Annas to put the Broncos up by 21 less than five minutes into the second half. A modest 7-0 Tiger run midway through the period reduced the Bronco edge to 15 and another UOP run at the end of the game provided the final score.
Sophomore forward Jennie Rondel sprained her left ankle at the 1:16 mark in the first half and did not return to the game. On a fast break, her leg seemed to buckle under as she settled for the lay in. It is the same leg that Rondel had ACL reconstructive surgery on in May. She finished with six points.
Pacific was led by Selena Ho's 17 points while Tiger Gillian d'Hondt grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
The Broncos remain on the road for another contest against a regional opponent. Santa Clara will play at Fresno State on Saturday. The game is slated to begin at 4 p.m. in the North Gym.
