SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Despite being down two starters, Santa Clara women's basketball used a pair of dominant quarters to take down Fresno State 90-66 Saturday in the nonconference finale.

Missing Lauren Yearwood and Ashlyn Herlihy who combine for over 21 points and nearly 14 rebounds a game due to injury, the Broncos (6-5) inserted seniors Tamia Brags, making her first career start, and Naomi Jimenez into the starting lineup and didn't miss a beat.

Braggs led the team with 17 points while also setting career highs in field goals made and attempted (8-for-15) and minutes played (27). Jimenez grabbed a game high 12 rebounds and added four points. Erica Meyer also stepped up in 12 minutes down low, grabbing three rebounds, dishing out three assists, and adding two blocks.

"Hats off to Tamia on her first start and the way she competed," Santa Clara head coach Bill Carr said. "Erica also came in a delivered in the post as well with us being down two starters. The bottom line is it was a great team win."

The Bulldogs (8-4) battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit with a big third quarter and evened the score at 63-all with 8:04 to go in the game. Santa Clara responded with the next eight points, six coming from Merle Wiehl, and outscored Fresno State 27-3 the rest of the way.

"We finally got some stops and were able to get out in transition," Carr said. "We were able to get to the rim and made a couple shots. I think we're best, when we're running."

Wiehl finished with 16 points, a career high nine rebounds, and four assists. Tia Hay added 15 points and four assists with Lindsey VanAllen scoring 15 as well.

The Broncos also had a dominant second quarter. After Genna Ogier knocked down a jumper 50 seconds into the second quarter to give the Bulldogs a 22-21 lead, the Broncos defense battened down and didn't another field goal for the final 9:10 of the half. They outscored Fresno State 15-4 to take a 36-26 lead into the locker rooms.

The Bulldogs took care of business in the third quarter, putting up 30 points to get within two. Maddi Utti led the way with 13 points in the period and sisters Hanna and Haley Cavinder combined for 13 as well.

"We told the team that good teams will make a run at you," Carr said. "They made a run and now we have to make a run. And we did that.

Utti led all players with 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds as well while going 9-for-12 from the free throw line. Hal. Cavender scored 13 with 10 rebounds and Han. Cavinder scored 13 with five assists. The rest of the team combined for 16 points.

HIGHLIGHTS

HIGHLIGHTS | The best plays from a big win over Fresno State!#StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/E1cJTCxH9s

— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) December 22, 2019

QUOTABLE

VIDEO | First career start ✔️ career high in points ✔️ big team win ✔️
Tamia Braggs led the #SCUBroncos with 17 points as Santa Clara beat @FresnoStateWBB 90-66 in the nonconference finale Saturday. Hear from the senior.#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/OUMnihQl25

— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) December 22, 2019

NOTES

• Santa Clara is now 16-25 all-time against Fresno State.
• The Broncos had a 45-30 edge on the glass and outscored the Bulldogs 54-28 in the paint.
• Santa Clara collected 18 assists.

UP NEXT
The Broncos finish nonconference play at home against Fresno State Saturday at 1 p.m.

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