Feb. 21, 2002
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University senior guard Becki Ashbaugh scored the game-winning basket with nine seconds remaining to lift the Broncos to a 65-63 victory over Loyola Marymount in West Coast Conference women's basketball action tonight at the Leavey Center.
Additionally, Ashbaugh's ninth and final assist of the night gave her 600 in her career, a milestone first in the Bronco program. Her first assist of the night marked No. 592, breaking Jennifer Lucas' 13-year record.
The victory kept the Broncos undefeated at home with an 11-0 mark at Leavey and only one more contest to go, against conference champion Pepperdine on Saturday. The athletic department will honor the team's two seniors, Caroline Gruening and Ashbaugh, while also celebrating Fan Appreciation Day. Game time is 2 p.m.
Bronco junior forward Julie Butler led all scorers with 20 points, while LMU's Kate Murray and Adrianne Slaughter added 16 each to lead the Lions. Slaughter registered a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds.
Tied at 54 with seven minutes remaining, the Broncos pushed ahead by five with a jumper from junior post Kendra Rhea and a three-point play from Butler. Murray kept the Lions in the game with a three pointer, followed by a steal and a lay-in to tie the score again at 59. LMU then went ahead with a basket by Slaughter, but again, Rhea and Butler each posted scores to push the Broncos ahead 63-61 with 1:42 remaining. Murray then found Slaughter all alone under the basket for an easy score with 36 seconds left on the clock. Ashbaugh's floater put the Broncos ahead with nine seconds, but LMU's Bryn Britton, who finished the night with 15 points, could not convert at the buzzer.
Gruening opened the contest with three three-pointers to give SCU an early 13-6 lead. LMU quickly took control on a 21-6 run, with eight of those points from Lion guard Claudine Auld. SCU fought back with lay-ups from Butler, Ashbaugh, junior forward Tammy Annas and sophomore forward Jennie Rondel to tie the game at 27 points apiece, but LMU held the Broncos off en route to a 31-29 halftime lead, setting up the Broncos' third come-from-behind victory.
