Jan. 7, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Tim Pierce scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, as San Jose State ended a five-year drought to its neighbor, beating Santa Clara 62-59 in a nonconference contest on Monday night.
DeShawn Wright scored 11 of his 13 points for the Spartans (7-7), who had lost five straight to the Broncos and 10 of 11. C.J. Webster added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Mitch Henke scored 17 points and had a season-high 10 rebounds for Santa Clara (8-7), which lost its third in four games. John Bryant added 15 points and nine rebounds and Jonathan Gunderson had 11.
San Jose State, seeking its first winning season in 13 years, has already won more games in a season since winning 10 in 2001-02.
The teams met for the second time this season, with Santa Clara winning at San Jose State 63-53 in December. The schools, located less than four miles from each other, last played each other twice in the same season when both were members of the West Coast Athletic Conference in 1968-69.
The Broncos made seven of their first 10 shots of the second half, including Gunderson's go-ahead 3-pointer with 12:43 remaining to play, to surge ahead. The Spartans were held scoreless for nearly four minutes, giving Santa Clara its opportunity.
The Spartans regained the lead minutes later, taking advantage of the Broncos' own cold spell lasting over five minutes. Justin Graham's driving jumper put San Jose State up 47-46 with 9:08 left.
Graham, who ended with 10 points, also made four key free throws in the final 36 seconds to help secure the win.
