Jan. 2, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's basketball team won its third straight contest, besting Eastern Washington 79-52 to close the non-conference season this afternoon at the Leavey Center. Junior guard Michelle Cozad came off the bench to lead the Broncos with 21 points, as SCU improves to 6-7 on the season. The Broncos ended the Eagles' six-game win streak, as Eastern Washington moves to 7-4 on the year.
Cozad netted four of the team's 12 three-point field goals on the day. Freshman Chandice Cronk added four treys and finished with a career-high 16 points. Kasey Monteith added 10 points and eight rebounds, and Ashley Gonnerman added six boards and three assists.
EWU was led by Ashley Knight's 14-point performance. Jamie Chicane added 12 points and eight rebounds, and Felice Moore posted a game-high 10 rebounds.
Yasemin Kimyacioglu hit a three from the right side off the opening tip to kick-off the Broncos' afternoon. Cronk followed with a basket from the top of the key to give the home squad a quick 6-0 lead. Eastern Washington held a brief advantage, at 14-12 with 13 minutes remaining, after Joanna Chadd and Chicane hit back-to back buckets from behind the arc.
The Eagles went cold soon thereafter, going seven minutes without a point. Santa Clara scored 10 straight during that time and led 33-20 heading into the final two minutes. Julie Page hit a short jumper in the paint to end EWU's draught in the final minute of the half, but Cronk countered with a three from the right corner to give SCU a 36-23 lead at intermission.
The Broncos extended that lead in second-half action, reaching the 20-point advantage on a Monteith putback. SCU's biggest lead was the game's final margin, 27 points, reached on a lay-up by Kimyacioglu in the final 30 seconds.
Santa Clara will open the West Coast Conference season on the road, visiting Gonzaga on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Portland on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs are 8-2 on the year, including a 3-0 mark on their home court. The Pilots are 5-8 heading into league play.