Dec. 20, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Junior Maggie Goldenberger and sophomore Lena Gipson helped the Santa Clara women's basketball team close the gap in the second half, but the late rally was not enough as Boise State defeated SCU, 57-51, Saturday afternoon at the Leavey Center.
Goldenberger posted double figure points for the second straight contest and doubled her career-high with a game-high 20 points against Boise State. She nearly had a double-double with eight rebounds. Gipson registered double-double No. 9 with 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Sara Majors was once again a force off the boards with nine rebounds and led the game with seven assists.
The home Broncos trailed by 11-points at halftime, 33-22. Santa Clara tied the score twice early on but Boise State went on a 15-2 run to take a 19-6 lead with 9:21 to play. Yet, SCU fought back and brought the score to a six-point difference, 24-18, on a three-pointer from Elizabeth Doran, with 3:47 to play. But, the visiting Broncos stopped the rally there.
Boise State climbed to a 17-point advantage just minute into the second half on a jumper from Marisa Stotler, 39-22. But Santa Clara continued to fight. Goldenberger started a 7-2 run at 12:38 that made it a nine-point game, 45-36, four minutes later. Boise State, however, reclaimed an 11-point lead moments later. Goldenberger ignited another rally for the home Broncos with 3:51 remaining. Her jumper cut the score back down to nine points, 51-42. The 8-2 run, which ended on free throws by Gipson, made it a five-point game, 53-48. With just 28 seconds on the clock, Majors nailed a jumper to make the score, 55-51, but a SCU foul sent Courtney VanBrocklin to the free throw line. She made both her shot for the final score, 57-51.
For Boise State, Brittany Moore had 15 points, while VanBrocklin added 11 points and Stotler had 10 points and eight rebounds.
Santa Clara returns to action on Monday, Dec. 22 against West Virginia. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Leavey Center.
