Feb. 4, 2006
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - In front of a crowd filled mainly by young girls for the celebration of "Women in Sports," the Santa Clara Broncos captured their sixth-straight win Saturday afternoon, defeating the Portland Pilots 67-58 Saturday afternoon at the Leavey Center.
The last time Santa Clara (13-9, 7-2 WCC) won six games in a row was in the 2001-02 season, from Dec. 9-29. The team record for most consecutive conference victories remains eleven, accomplished by the conference champion 1992-93 squad.
Kasey Monteith, continuing her stellar play underneath, recorded her second double-double of the season as part of a solid all-around effort. The forward from Boise, Idaho scored 10 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and posted a pair of career highs with five assists and four blocks.
Cozad and Chandice Cronk were the high scorers for the Broncos on Saturday, as Cozad netted 18 and Cronk 17. Cozad pulled down seven rebounds while Cronk shot 6-for-8 from the field and 5-for-6 from behind the arc.
The first half started off slowly for Santa Clara on Saturday. Portland (4-18, 1-8 WCC) hung tough for the first ten minutes, holding a slim 14-13 advantage until a Cronk three-pointer gave the Broncos a lead they would never relinquish at 16-14 with 8:59 remaining in the half. Cronk's basket prompted a 10-0 run which put Santa Clara in control. The SCU defense limited Portland to only 37.1% shooting on the day, including a 29.4% mark in the first half.
Cronk's additional eight points and several missed opportunities by the Pilots allowed the Broncos to head to the locker room with a 33-25 lead at the half.
Portland put together a 9-2 run to start the second half and cut the Bronco lead to one at 35-34, but a pair of threes from Kayla Huss and Cronk combined with a trio of free throws from Tracey Walker put SCU back ahead, this time by ten.
Cozad again put together a big second half, scoring 13 points in the final 20 minutes.
The Bronco advantage never got to more than ten, but their stingy defense and rebounding limited the Pilots from ever getting to within less than four the rest of the way.
The Broncos close out the current three-game homestand Thursday, Feb. 9 as they battle the local rival Saint Mary's Gaels in a 7 p.m. tip-off. Tickets are available by calling (408) 554-4660.
