Dec. 8, 2007
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- John Bryant recorded his third double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Santa Clara ended its seven-game road trip with a 73-63 win over San Jose State on Saturday night.
Bryant, the Broncos' leading scorer and rebounder, struggled with his shot all night but scored seven of the final nine points for Santa Clara, including three free throws in the final 36 seconds to preserve the win.
Brody Angley added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Broncos (6-2).
Tim Pierce had 19 points for San Jose State, including three straight 3-pointers when the Spartans -- after trailing by 15 with 5 minutes remaining -- made a late charge.
Santa Clara led 64-49 on Okechukwu Mbanugo's only basket of the game and appeared headed for a blowout when Pierce warmed up from the outside. His run of 3s pulled San Jose State within 66-58, then Justin Graham later scored to make it 68-63 with a minute left.
Bryant stopped the run with three free throws, though, and Angley added a late basket to seal the win for the Broncos.
San Jose State has not defeated the Broncos since a 71-69 win on Nov. 30, 2002. The two teams play again in Santa Clara on Jan. 7.
The two teams opened the game headed in opposite directions.
Santa Clara's first three baskets were 3-pointers while San Jose State missed seven of its first nine shots and fell behind. The Broncos' success on the perimeter opened things up inside for Bryant, who had eight points and six rebounds in the first half.
An uncontested backdoor layup from Henke pushed Santa Clara's lead to 20-12 with 8:08 left before the Spartans closed the gap. Webster had five points during a 7-0 burst before Pierce's 3-pointer tied the game at 24. San Jose State managed just five free throws the rest of the half, however, and went into halftime trailing 33-29.
Graham finished with 13 points for San Jose State while C.J. Webster had 12 points and five assists.
