Majors and Gottschalk Post Double-Doubles As Broncos Topple Spartans 78-58

Majors and Gottschalk Post Double-Doubles As Broncos Topple Spartans 78-58

Dec. 21, 2007

Final Stats |  Quotes

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Three Broncos netted double-figure points while Sara Majors and Jen Gottschalk posted double-doubles to give Santa Clara a 78-58 victory over San Jose State in Rivalry Series action Friday night at the Leavey Center. Chandice Cronk was the third player to post double-figures, leading the game with 21 points and six assists. With the triumph, SCU improved its win steak to four games and now owns an 8-3 overall record, while the Spartans dropped to 1-11 on the season.

"In the first half, we came out and executed really well," said head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "At times in the second half the environment as a whole was flat and we just kept telling the team to keep their intensity and execute. The trouble in the second half was that we put them on the free throw line way too much. Yet, our attitude is to improve each and every game and we did a good job tonight."

Majors pulled down a game-high and career-best 14 rebounds and registered 13 points to post her first career double-double, while Gottschalk netted 17 points and tallied 13 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. She also recorded a game-high three steals.

Both teams fought hard in the first half to gain control of the scoreboard. Santa Clara gained a three point lead on a jumper from Gottschalk, 9-6, but the San Jose State quickly tied the score, 9-9, on three point goal from Natalie White. Elizabeth Doran put the Broncos back up by two but once again White posted a traditional three point play to give the Spartans a one-point edge. With 14:16 remaining, a layup for Majors gave the Broncos the jolt they needed to take control of the game.

SCU then produced a 9-0 run that featured back-to-back treys from Cronk and Majors to gain a 20-12 lead. With 5:39 left in the first half, the Broncos opened a 14-point gap on a free throw from Maggie Goldenberger, 34-20. Santa Clara continued to push ahead on a 13-7 run to end the first half with a 20-point lead, 47-27.

Coming back from halftime, the Broncos picked up right where they left off and created a 25-point advantage twice, 52-27 and 57-32. However, the Spartans found new energy and began to chip away at the lead. They rallied to bring the score within 13 points twice in the late second half. Beginning the run for San Jose State was Brittany Powell, who scored all her 10 points in the second half. SJSU compiled a 15-3 run fueled by jumpers and free throws to make the score, 62-49, with 8:11 remaining.

The Spartans came within 13-points for the second and final time on a three-point goal from Emily Nichols, 71-58, with 3:40 left in regulation. However, that was the closest San Jose State would get, as the Broncos went on a 7-0 run and closed out the game with a layup from Kimee Goeggel, 78-58.

For the Spartans, Myosha Barnes registered 16 points, while White added 14 points and Powell had 10 points.

The Broncos return to action on Saturday, Dec. 29 against the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Leavey Center.