Feb. 19, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's basketball team earned a 29-point victory over San Diego tonight, topping the Toreros 85-56 in West Coast Conference action at the Leavey Center. Freshman guard Ashley Graham missed a double-double by one assist to lead the Broncos, as her 13-point, 9-assist effort helps to improve the Broncos' record to 8-16, 4-7. The Toreros were led by Marta Menuez' 13 points and seven rebounds, but see their record fall to 6-18, 1-10.
The win marked the second series sweep for the Broncos this season, as Santa Clara's other two conference wins are over San Francisco. The Broncos shot 57 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. Senior guard Whitney Sutak came off the bench and contributed 14 points and six assists as the Broncos netted a season-high 24 assists and 16 steals on the night.
Nine minutes into the game, Quinn Thomas dove at midcourt for a steal, which Jenni Gottschalk collected and found Sutak on the fast break. Sutak's lay-up made it 20-8 Broncos, forcing San Diego head coach Kathy Marpe to call her first time out.
Two free throws from Jennie Rondel increased SCU's lead to 20, 41-21 inside the two-minute mark. Rondel scored all 10 of her points in the first half and the Broncos led 46-23 on a baseline three Sutak made with one second remaining before intermission.
USD committed three straight turnovers to start the second half. A trey from the right corner from Anna Martin gave Santa Clara a 69-39 lead at 12:17, a lead the Broncos kept the rest of the contest.
Jamie Corwin added 12 points for San Diego. Thomas finished with 13 for the Broncos. Graham added a game-high five steals to her all-around performance.
Santa Clara will return to the court this weekend and visit Saint Mary's on Saturday at 7 p.m.
