Dec. 28, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's basketball team continued its high-rolling ways Wednesday afternoon as they ran past the CS Northridge Matadors 96-77 at the Leavey Center. Michelle Cozad's 20 points and 12 rebounds were good for her fourth-straight double-double performance and along with Chandice Cronk's 17 points gave the Broncos their third win in a row.
Five players scored in double-figures for the Broncos (5-6) as Kayla Huss (12), Ashley Graham (11) and Ashley Gonnerman (10) joined Cozad and Cronk. Santa Clara also shot 12-of-20 from three-point land with Cozad hitting on four and Graham going a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc.
SCU got off to a slow start which allowed the Matadors (3-8) to jump out to a quick 13-4 lead less than five minutes in, but an 18-7 Bronco run spurred on by a trio of threes from Cozad put SCU in front 22-20.
After the teams were knotted at 22 with 10:41 left in the first half, the Broncos scored the next seven points on their way to building a 48-39 lead heading into the break.
The second half opened up with a 22-9 Bronco run that featured nine points from Cronk and five from Tracey Walker. The Matadors never got to within less than 10 the rest of the way as the Bronco outside shooting kept them at bay the rest of the way.
Santa Clara will return to action Saturday night as they welcome the Ball State Cardinals to the Leavey Center. The Broncos will be aiming for their fourth win in a row and a chance to end the 2005 portion of this season at .500. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and tickets are available by calling (408) 554-4660.
