SANTA CLARA, Calif. - San Diego didn't show must rust after extended layoff.  

Joey Calcaterra posted a career-high 23 points and Ben Pyle scored a career-best 15 to pace the Toreros to a 71-60 win over Santa Clara men's basketball in a West Coast Conference tilt on Thursday night.

San Diego (3-7, 2-4), playing for the first time since Jan. 28, due to a COVID-19 pause in activities, used a pair of double-digit runs in the opening half to build an 18-point lead and then held off a second-half rally by the Broncos.

Santa Clara (9-6, 3-4) chipped away at USD's 12-point halftime lead behind Josip Vrankic, who had a 25-point, 15 rebound double-double effort, to tie the game at 53-all with under 7 minutes left in the contest.  

However, the Toreros went on a 9-0 run in the next 2-plus minutes to put the game away. Pyle started by nailing a 3-pointer and Calcaterra had a pair of baskets

Vladimir Pinchuk had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and blocked two shots for the Toreros who led for all but 39 seconds in the game.  

Vrankic was the lone Bronco in double figure scoring. Jalen Williams and Guglielmo Caruso each chipped in eight points.

The Broncos were hurt by 16 turnovers, including 13 in the opening 20 minutes, and poor free throw shooting as they made just 14 of 25.

San Diego erased an early 4-2 lead by scoring 10 straight points and later extended a 12-8 advantage with 11 consecutive points. The first-half lead eventually grew to 28-10 with 7 minutes on the clock.

For the second-straight game, Santa Clara played without second-leading scorer Keshawn Justice due to concussion protocol.

Check out the @HerculesTires Strong Plays of the Game from Thursday's action against San Diego!#TeamFirst #StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/p927V4cXZc

— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) February 20, 2021

NOTES
• In a series that began in 1953, Santa Clara leads, 51-39, with wins in 12 of the last 18 meetings. The Broncos had won five of the last six overall in the series, as well as five of the last at home.
• Josip Vrankic (25 points/15 rebounds) recorded his 17th career double-double, including sixth this season. He entered the game tied for first in the WCC in that category. His rebound total matched a career-high
• Vrankic recorded his fourth 20-point outing of the season
• Ben Pyle scored the first 10 points for San Diego in just the opening 2:25 of the game. He ended up with a career-high 15.
• The Broncos missed their first seven attempts from behind the 3-point line. Giordan Williams finally connected with 11:51 remaining in the game. Santa Clara was just 4 of 15 on 3-pointers.
• Ezekiel Richards came off the bench and played 13 minutes, posting five points and a career-high six rebounds.
• Jalen Williams (eight points) had a streak of four straight games scoring in double figures snapped.  

NEXT UP
The Broncos close out a three-game homestand on Saturday in a matchup against Pepperdine. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.

SCHEDULE UPDATE
The West Coast Conference announced changes in schedules in order to maximize the number of games in the final week of the regular season. The Broncos will now play at top-ranked Gonzaga on Thursday, Feb. 25, instead of traveling to BYU, and face Portland at home two days later instead of facing San Francisco on the road.

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