SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Another strong defensive effort carried Santa Clara men's basketball to a 53-47 win over CSU Bakersfield on Wednesday in a game played at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

The Broncos (4-0), who trailed for only 11 seconds in the game, held the Roadrunners to 32 percent shooting from the floor but struggled offensively themselves, hitting just 1 of 17 from behind the 3-point line. However, Santa Clara's aggressiveness on the offensive end was the difference in the second half as they went to the line 29 times, converting 22.

Josip Vrankic was the lone player in double figures putting up 11 points, all in the second half, while Christian Carlyle chipped in nine, including 7 of 8 free throws in the second half, for the Broncos who forced 19 turnovers.

Taze Moore paced the Roadrunners (0-1) with eight points. Justin McCall and Shawn Stith adding seven points each.

Santa Clara, which held its first three opponents to a combined 32-percent shooting from the floor, took command of the game midway through the second half, when it scored 13 of 17 points from the free-throw line to push a four-point lead to 39-26.

The advantage grew to 14 but the Roadrunners closed the deficit to 48-44 with under 5 minutes on Grehlon Easter's free throw. The Broncos made five free throws and allowed just one basket in the final 4 minutes.

The opening 20 minutes will not be remembered for its offensive prowess, but Santa Clara's defense held the Roadrunners to 3 of 22 shooting to build an 11-point advantage. However, CSUB closed with a 7-0 run to cut the Broncos lead to 15-11 at intermission.

The Broncos entered the game shooting 58.6 percent from the free-throw line, but connected on a season-best 71.0 percent (22 of 31).

The Roadrunners were 12-for-15 at the free-throw line.

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Check out the @HerculesTires Strong Plays of the Game from Wednesday's victory over CSU Bakersfield!#TeamFirst #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/MItxlaWVfd

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) December 3, 2020

Give and go and one �� @GuglielmoCaruso ▶️ @JosipVrankic#TeamFirst #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/pcczEEM0iP

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) December 3, 2020

NOTES
• Santa Clara now owns a 5-0 record against CSU Bakersfield. It was the first meeting in seven seasons with the Broncos beating the Roadrunners on the road, 60-42, on Dec. 5, 2013.
• The Broncos have now won their last 21 nonconference home games, to extend its school record. The last loss occurred against Idaho State when the Bengals escaped Leavey Center with a 68-66 victory on Dec. 7, 2018. The old school record of 19 straight nonleague home wins began on Jan. 2, 1987 with an 87-80 win over Montana and ended on Dec. 15, 1990 with a 75-66 loss to San Jose State.
• Santa Clara entered with a plus-9.3 rebounding margin per game, but CSU Bakersfield held a 38-30 edge in that category.
• The Roadrunners were held to 3-for-22 shooting (13.6 percent) from the floor in the opening half, but nailed their lone 3-pointer. Grehlon Easter connected with 34 seconds left and it pulled CSU Bakersfield within four points at intermission.
• Jalen Williams injured a foot with 37 seconds remaining in the opening half and did not return. The team's second-leading scorer had two points and three rebounds in 18 minutes.
• Jaden Bediako made his third-straight start in place of Guglielmo Caruso (concussion protocol). Caruso did play 13 minutes off the bench, but fouled out with 4:20 left in the game. Miguel Tomley returned to the lineup after missing Saturday's game against Nicholls. Trent Hudgens Jr. (leg) has yet to play this season.

��️ Hear from head coach @HerbSendek on tonight's victory over CSU Bakersfield!

Postgame interview presented by @ROATweets.#TeamFirst #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/KRC4T5s6LC

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) December 3, 2020

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