LAS VEGAS — Three weeks into the season and the Santa Clara University women's basketball team appears to have already accomplished so much.
But there's plenty more work that lies ahead.
The Broncos continued their recent ascension Saturday, winning their third game in a row and fourth in their last five by beating previously undefeated Washington, 71-58, to finish unbeaten in two games at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic at the Orleans Arena.
Santa Clara (5-3) has scored 71 or more points in each of its last four games. It has outrebounded or tied its opponents on the glass in four straight games. And the defense has held its opponents to 35.2% shooting or lower in three of their last five contests.
Freshman guard Tess Heal went off for 23 points Saturday – her second 20-point game in her three-week old collegiate career. Santa Clara pulled down 40 rebounds for the second time this season and made eight 3-pointers for the third straight game.
The Broncos handed Washington (5-1) – who had been one of the 38 remaining undefeated teams in the nation to start the day – its first loss of the season. It was Santa Clara's first win over the Huskies in 21 years almost to the day. The Broncos last beat UW on Nov. 24, 2001, in Seattle, 71-56. It was Santa Clara's first win over a Pac-12 Conference member since Nov. 23, 2015, when it beat Stanford on the road, 61-58.
The Broncos' unblemished trip to Las Vegas also marked the first time they went unbeaten in a non-conference tournament in seven years. They last went 2-0 at Cal Poly's ShareSLO Holiday Tournament in San Luis Obispo on Nov. 27-28, 2015.
But all of the Broncos' accomplishments and acceleration of execution on the court has only brought them to their next challenge – going on the road next week to face the No. 2 team in the country and local rival, Stanford. And of course, there are still four non-conference games after that, and a full 18-game West Coast Conference schedule to focus on.
Like Friday's dominant win over 2022 Sweet 16 team South Dakota, it was a hot start in the first quarter that surged Santa Clara ahead, and it never looked back. Washington got the first basket of the game on a 3-pointer from Jayda Noble, but that was the last bucket they'd make for 3 1/2 minutes. Meanwhile, Santa Clara went on an 11-0 run to go ahead for good. Heal scored seven points during that run and scored 11 points in the first quarter alone. The Broncos shot 66.7% (8 for 12) in the first and held Washington to 31.6%.
Santa Clara would shoot 50.0% in the first half and lead by 12 at halftime, 43-31. The defense limited Washington to 34.9% in the game and forced 13 turnovers. The SCU offense turned those turnovers into 15 points.
Ashley Hiraki scored a season-high 11 points. Marya Hudgins scored 11 points and nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds and a block off the bench. Washington was led by 13 bench points from Hannah Stines and 11 by Darcy Rees.
Santa Clara next heads north on El Camino Real to take on Stanford at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Fans can find all live coverage links on the Broncos' schedule page.
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