Dec. 23, 2006
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - John Bryant matched his career high with 20 points and had a season high 12 rebounds to lead Santa Clara to a 77-75 overtime victory over Utah State on Saturday.
Danny Pariseau scored all 11 of his points after halftime as the Broncos (9-4) won their fourth straight at home and fourth out of five overall. Scott Dougherty had a career-high 16 points and Mitch Henke added 14 to score in double figures for the fourth time in five games.
Stephen DuCharme scored 18 of his 22 points after the intermission for the Aggies (9-3), who fell to 2-3 on the road. Jaycee Carroll was held to a season-low 14.
After falling behind by nine early in the first half, the Broncos rallied to take a 12-point halftime lead behind the shooting of Dougherty and Joey Kaempf, who each hit three 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes. Dougherty tied his career high with 13 first-half points.
Trailing by four points in the final minute Pariseau made a pair of free throws and then Bryant hit an inside basket to tie the game with 6.7 seconds left. Utah State missed a chance to win when a driving layup bounced off the front of the rim as time expired. The Aggies had three players, including two starters, foul out late in the game.
Pariseau gave the Broncos the lead for good with a twisting layup at the 2:50 mark of overtime. The Broncos led by as many as five before the Aggies made it close in the final seconds.
Santa Clara also spoiled Aggies' coach Stew Morrill's bid for his 200th win at the school.
The game was Utah State's first trip to Santa Clara since losing there in 1976.
Santa Clara is back in action on Thursday, Dec. 28 in the 40th Annual Cable Car Classic as the Broncos face Colgate in the opening game at 6:00 p.m. PT. The second game featuring Air Force and George Washington will tip off 30 minutes after the first game concludes. The consolation and championship games will be played on Friday, Dec. 29 beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT. All games will be played at the Leavey Center at Santa Clara.
