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SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Josip Vrankic posted a game-high 24 points and Jalen Williams scored 13, all in the second half, to help propel Santa Clara men's basketball to a 62-49 season-opening win over Idaho State.

The Broncos (1-0) held the Bengals to 35 percent shooting from the floor and forced 20 turnovers in the opening game of the Bronco Invitational, a round-robin tournament that also features UC Davis and Nicholls State.

Malik Porter tallied 12 points and Daxton Carr added 10 for the Bengals (0-1) who were out-scored 38-16 in the paint.

Santa Clara led 30-18 at halftime and extended the advantage to 50-30 with 8 minutes left on a jumper from Williams, but Idaho State scored the next nine fueled by four points from Porter.

But Vrankic and Williams helped extinguish the rally. Vrankic had an inside bucket and then Williams scored the next five points.

Each team was sluggish in the early going with the Broncos mustering only eight points in the first 11 minutes of action. Santa Clara erased its final deficit by scoring 11 straight points for an 19-11 lead with 5 minutes left in the opening half.

The Broncos, who posted 11 steals, including four from Williams, led by double digits for the final 22 minutes of action.

Jaden Bediako came off the bench to post eight points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Broncos who face UC Davis on Friday.

The Broncos attempted just 12 3-pointers, connecting on four. The Bengals went 8-for-22 from beyond the 3-point line.

In the nightcap, Nicholls defeated UC Davis, 101-92, as Ty Gordon (25) led five players in double figures.

HIGHLIGHTS | One game down, one W in the books �� #TeamFirst #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/ySFetQOUfp

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 26, 2020

NOTES
• The Broncos and Idaho State met for the seventh time though this was the third matchup in the last four years. Santa Clara won 78-65 last year, but fell 68-66 in 2018. The teams first met in 1981 and the Broncos now lead the series, 4-3.
• The Broncos have now won their last 18 nonconference home games. The last loss actually occurred against Idaho State. The Bengals escaped Leavey Center with a 68-66 victory on Dec. 7, 2018.
• Josip Vrankic drew nine of the 23 fouls committed by Idaho State, which led to 11 free throws for the senior who connected six times.
• Jalen Williams' four steals were one off his career-high of five set vs. Gonzaga (Jan. 30, 2020).
• Miguel Tomley saw his first-career action, playing nine minutes off the bench. The redshirt freshman missed last year with a knee injury. Christian Carlyle, a graduate transfer Florida Gulf Coast, suited up for the Broncos for the first time. He started and played 32 minutes, scoring six points and dishing out two assists.

��️ Head coach @HerbSendek discusses the season-opening victory over Idaho State!

Postgame interview presented by @ROATweets.#TeamFirst #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/p92vvKh4se

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 26, 2020

��️ @JosipVrankic dropped a game-high 24 points - here's what he had to say after tonight's win!

Postgame interview presented by @ROATweets.#TeamFirst #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/ReKNUMYfhO

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 26, 2020

��️ BIG TIME second half from our guy @JdubPSCEO - here's what he had to say about tonight's win!

Postgame interview presented by @ROATweets.#TeamFirst #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/PEK7VcPURZ

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) November 26, 2020

NEXT UP
Santa Clara will play on Friday against UC Davis in its second game in the Bronco Invitational. Game time is set for 1 p.m. Idaho State and Nicholls meet at 4 p.m.

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