SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Lindsey VanAllen and Lana Hollingsworth had career games for Santa Clara women's basketball but it was Ashley Hiraki who carried the team in the fourth quarter to a come-from-behind 74-64 victory over Pepperdine Thursday in the delayed West Coast Conference opener.
The Broncos (7-4, 1-0 WCC) hadn't played since December 20 with the Waves (4-6, 0-1 WCC) not seeing action since December 18 due to Covid concerns in the conference but neither squad showed an abundance of rust and the game stayed close late into the fourth quarter. Part of that was both teams took care of the ball. The Broncos committed a season-low five turnovers and the Waves had just eight.
Hiraki kept Santa Clara in the game early in the fourth with eight of her 10 points and Merle Wiehl, who was quiet until the final period, helped put things away with all nine of her points coming after the 5:42 mark. Her second three-pointer of the quarter at 1:13 started a game-ending 8-0 run for the Broncos.
Over the first three quarters it was VanAllen and Hollingsworth that did the heavy lifting, both scoring career-highs. Hollingsworth finished with 18, all coming in the first half, while also pulling down six rebounds. VanAllen, who hadn't played since December 14 due to an injury, scored an efficient 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Pepperdine entered the fourth quarter on top 53-52 after a big third that saw them erase an eight-point halftime deficit. The Waves were 8-of-14 from the floor during the third but just 16-of-47 over the other 30 minutes, and finished at 39.3-percent.
Kendyl Carson led the team with 13 points, including eight in the third quarter, with Eve Braslis adding 11 and Ally Stedman scoring 10. The balanced attack also saw eight points each from Jayla Rusfus-Milner and Helena Friend with Malia Bambrick and Meaali'I Amosa scoring seven apiece.
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 43-41 all-time against Pepperdine.
- The Broncos had 15 assists on 26 made baskets.
- Hiraki tied a career-high with eight rebounds. She also had eight vs. California Baptist on December 18, 2021.
- The Broncos were without Lexie Pritchard who was injured at Long Beach State. A timetable for her return is uncertain. Ashlee Maldonado is also out and will miss the entire season.
HIGHLIGHTS
Nice win to tip-off the @WCChoops season Thursday night and here are some highlights! Welcome back @lindseyvanallen ����#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/NDfRVnQrb2
— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) January 14, 2022
INTERVIEW
��️ Head coach Bill Carr and senior @LHollingsw0rth talk @WCCsports opening win over Pepperdine.#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/ShdqVw3Ank
— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) January 14, 2022
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