STOCKTON, Calif. – In what was likely his final home appearance, Jahlil Tripp posted a game-high 29 points, including 21 in the first half, to lead Pacific to a convincing 87-74 victory over Santa Clara men's basketball on Saturday.
Austin Vereen tallied 14 points and Jahbril Price-Noel came off the bench to score 12 for the Tigers (21-9, 9-5) who out-rebounded the Broncos 35 to 21 and connected on 7 of 15 from behind the 3-point line.
DJ Michell scored 18 off the bench and Trey Wertz recorded 17 points to lead five players in double figures for Santa Clara (18-11, 5-9), which lost its fifth-straight outing.
The Tigers, who have won six of their last seven to move into sole possession of fourth place in the West Coast Conference standings, extended a 46-30 halftime lead to 22 points with 16 minutes left in the game.
Santa Clara closed to within 71-58 on a 3-pointer from Mitchell with 7 minutes on the clock, But Vereen nailed a 3-pointer and James Hampshire added a 3-point play for Pacific to extend the lead to 79-60.
Pacific was the aggressor all night with Tripp initiating the offense and helping the Tigers hold a commanding 42 to 28 edge on points in the paint.
Josip Vrankic scored 12 points for the Broncos but played sparingly in the final 20 minutes after spraining an ankle in the first half. Jaden Bediako and Jalen Williams each scored 10 points.
Tripp, who went 10-for-16 from the floor and collected six rebounds and five assists, was one of four Pacific seniors recognized after the team's final regular-season home contest.
The Tigers started to separate midway through the first half with an 11-2 run that gave them a 27-19 lead. Tripp opened the flurry with a layup and ended it with one.
Tripp had a hand in 29 of the team's points in the first half as his three assists led to another eight points.
Pacific closed the opening half by outscoring Santa Clara 30-12 during the final 8 minutes.
NOTES
• The Broncos have a 99-46 edge in a series that dates to 1905 and had won the previous four meetings. This is the seventh season the Tigers have been a member (for the second time) of the West Coast Conference, with the Broncos leading 10-4 in that span. But the teams have faced each other every season since 1994-95. The 145 games played are the fifth-most among Santa Clara opponents. Santa Clara had won four of the previous five in Stockton.
• The Broncos went 24-for-36 from the free-throw line, including 18 of 22 in the second half. The attempts were the most in a road game this season.
• Pacific's had 12 offensive rebounds, which led to a 20-4 edge in second-chance points.
• Josip Vrankic (12 points) has hit double figures in scoring in 10 of the last 12 games. He moved from 30th to 29th on the school's all-time scoring list (1,097), passing Raymond Cowels III (1,090/2009-13).
• Jaden Bediako (10 points) has scored in double figures in five of the last six contests.
• Guglielmo Caruso (right lower leg) played for just the second time in the last 14 games. He played five minutes in the loss to San Francisco (Feb. 13) and was on the floor for eight minutes against the Tigers before fouling out.
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The Broncos play twice at home next week to close out the regular season. They face Saint Mary's on Thursday (7 p.m.) and Portland on Saturday (1 p.m.).
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