Jan. 18, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University's women's basketball team defeated Loyola Marymount 76-60 this evening at the Leavey Center in West Coast Conference action. Sophomore Kayla Huss netted 19 points while senior Julie Butler added 18 as the Broncos improve to 11-5 overall, 2-1 in league play. The Lions fall to 10-7 overall, 2-2 in the WCC.
The Broncos started the evening slow, missing their first six shots. They got on the board on a Butler steal and lay-in, but were only down 3-2, as LMU began the contest 1-4 from the field, with Claudine Auld's three-pointer.
The Lions' fourth turnover of the game was converted by sophomore Quinn Thomas for a three, one of four she registered on the night en route to 14 points. LMU was averaging one turnover per minute in the first 11 minutes of play, and finished with 16 for the half.
Butler scored three quick baskets in a 55-second span, followed quickly by a Thomas transition score, as SCU pushed open a 24-13 lead with seven minutes left. A three-point play by reserve guard Jennifer Bradley doubled the Broncos' score over LMU 32-15.
The Lions scored eight straight to reduce the lead to nine, but senior Tammy Annas stopped their run with a baseline jumper and a lay-up to push the lead back up in the final two minutes of the half, where it remained for a 36-23 Bronco lead at intermission.
In second half action, two free throws by Huss pushed Santa Clara to the 50-point plateau on the scoreboard, and a 20-point lead. The Broncos shot 50.9 percent from the field, surpassing the .500 mark for the fifth time this season. SCU head coach Michelle Bento played every suited player.
Loyola Marymount outrebounded the Broncos by a 40-29 margin, led by Jacquelyn Woods' eight boards. She and Mary Turner led the Lions with 13 points apiece, while Bianca Ziemann contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.
Huss went 6-8 from the field, 3-4 from behind the arc, and made all four free-throw attempts. She added eight assists and six steals in her all-around performance
The Broncos will continue WCC action on the road, traveling through the Bay Area next weekend. Santa Clara will visit Saint Mary's on Friday and San Francisco on Saturday. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. at their respective venues.
