SAN DIEGO, Calif. – A late rally sent the game into overtime but Santa Clara women's basketball lost its last regular season game 73-66 on Saturday.

The Toreros (16-13, 8-9 WCC) started the extra period with a pair of layups by Kendall Bird and the Broncos (14-14, 8-10 WCC) were unable to make a field goal during the five minutes but still managed to stay close for a while. Down just three with 48 seconds to go, San Diego converted four free throws down the stretch to seal the game.

The game made into overtime thanks to a 10-2 run by Santa Clara over the final 3:20 of regulation. With 1:32 left Ashley Hiraki hit a triple and with just 12 seconds on the clock Lindsey VanAllen connected from deep as well to even the score at 62.

VanAllen finished the night with 24 points while knocking down four from distance. Merle Wiehl scored 14 and added eight rebounds while Lana Hollingsworth scored 11. Hiraki finished with seven.

San Diego was down after one quarter but used a 13-2 run early in the second to take the lead and wouldn't trail again. Santa Clara wouldn't even be able to tie the score again, although they stayed within shouting distance the whole time, until VanAllen's game-tying shot.

Sydney Hunter did most of the damage for the Toreros with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting and seven rebounds. The only other Torero in double-figures was Steph Gorman who scored 11 but 11 different players scored to help the balanced attack.

A major difference in the game was the effectiveness of the benches. San Diego finished with a 24-6 advantage in bench points. The Toreros also shot better from the field at 47.3-percent while the Broncos were 38.9-percent.

Both teams struggled to take care of the ball with 21 turnovers committed by Santa Clara and 22 by the Toreros but both took advantage with the Broncos holding a slight 23-22 edge in points off miscues.

NOTES

• Santa Clara is now 39-43 all-time against San Diego.
• Lindsey VanAllen is now at 1,297 career points, tied for eighth all-time at Santa Clara. She is tied with Meagan Fulps (2009-13). Next is Christine Silvernail (1990-94) with 1,325
• The Broncos were without Lexie Pritchard who was injured at Long Beach State. Her return is uncertain. Ashlee Maldonado is also out and will miss the entire season.

NEXT UP
Santa Clara plays in the WCC Tournament beginning next week in Las Vegas. Seeding is TBD.

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