Jan. 14, 2006
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Despite a strong first half in which they shot 64.3% from the floor and built a 13-point advantage, the Santa Clara women's basketball team fell behind the San Diego Toreros in the second half of Saturday's contest against the San Diego Toreros and suffered an 85-70 loss at the Leavey Center.
Chandice Cronk led Santa Clara with 18 points, 14 of those coming in the first half. Anna Martin posted 11 points and a career-high seven rebounds for the Broncos.
Things got off to a tight start as the two teams traded the lead nine times and neither team ever led by more than four in the first 12 minutes of action. Trailing 26-25 with 7:51 remaining in the first half, the Broncos went on a 15-0 run that eventually led to a 47-34 advantage at the break.
The second half did not start out to the Broncos' advantage, as turnovers and a cold spell from the field allowed the Toreros to make a run of their own and tie the game 10 minutes into the half. San Diego then took their first lead in nearly 19 minutes of action on an Amanda Rego three-pointer and stretched their lead to as much as 14 the rest of the way.
Santa Clara (7-9, 1-2 WCC) was out-rebounded by a margin of 51-23 in the second half and shot only 29.6% from the floor. San Diego (6-10, 1-2 WCC) was led by Rego's 18 second-half points and the 26 points and six rebounds of Tiara Harris.
The Broncos will return to action next weekend as they host the WCC's other two Southern California teams. Thursday night Santa Clara will square off with the Pepperdine Waves in a 7 p.m. contest before closing out the weekend with a 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon tip-off against the Loyola Marymount Lions. Tickets are available to both games by calling (408) 554-4660.
