Broncos Push Win Streak To Seven With 78-75 Win Over Bakersfield

Broncos Push Win Streak To Seven With 78-75 Win Over Bakersfield

Jan. 4, 2008

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Senior guard Chandice Cronk posted her second straight game-leading scoring performance Friday night as her 28 points helped to lift the Santa Clara women's basketball team to a 78-75 win over CS Bakersfield in non-conference action at the Leavey Center. With the victory, the Broncos improved their winning streak to seven game and now own an 11-3 overall record, while the Roadrunners dropped to 6-9 on the season.

"Tonight we gave great effort throughout the game," said head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "We remained focused even with our backs against the wall. I'm proud of my team for that focus."

Junior Elizabeth Doran added 16 points and redshirt junior Sara Majors chipped in with 11 points and a game-high five assists. Cronk, who also tied the game-high three steals, was one of three Broncos to have a perfect game from the free throw line as she went 5-for-5. Senior Jen Gottschalk, who pulled down a team-best eight rebounds, was 2-for-2 from the charity stripe, while Claire Goins went 4-for-4.

Midway through the first half, the Broncos produced an 18-6 run to turn a 12-12 tied into a 30-18 lead on points from five different players. Yet, the Roadrunners rallied to bring the score within just one at half time. Ke'Airra Jones started the fight for Bakersfield and a nailed jumper from Kelley Traver brought the margin to three points, 30-27. With seven seconds left, Naomi Johnson hit a jumper to end the first half trailing the Broncos by one point, 37-36.

The start of the second half was a true battle for control as neither team was able to gain the advantage. The two teams played through 10 ties and six lead changes before Doran made a jumper to give Santa Clara the lead for good at 67-65. The Broncos then began to widen the gap on points from Tracey Walker, who converted a traditional three-point play. Yet, the `Runners were not ready to give up so easily and came within one-point on two occasion with under a minute left in regulation. A pair of made free throws gave SCU a 75-73 lead with just five seconds left, but a foul by Cronk sent Krista Arase to the free throw line. She made both baskets to come within one point for the final time, 76-75. However, it was Arase who then sent Doran to the charity stripe just one second later to post the final score, 78-75.

For the `Runners, Traver had 21 points, Johnson registered a double-double with 19 points and a game-high 13 rebounds and Christ Kepenekian added 11 points.

The Broncos return to action on Saturday, Jan. 12 as they open West Coast Conference play against the Gaels of Saint Mary's. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Leavey Center.