SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Don't worry.
The momentum is still going strong.
After seeing its three-match winning streak end Wednesday on the road at the No. 2 team in the country, the Santa Clara University women's basketball team returned home Friday and rewrote its record book.
The Broncos notched their fifth-largest margin of victory ever on Friday while grabbing their most rebounds in a game and attempting the most shots they ever have, as well as a slew of other top marks in a 97-37 non-conference trouncing of Lincoln University (Calif.) at Leavey Center.
Check out the postgame interview with head @coachbillcarr following tonight's record-laden victory! ��️#StampedeTogether | #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/u2Zh2HKc1A
— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) December 3, 2022
Santa Clara (6-4) shattered its own single-game rebounding record, breaking a 42-year-old mark by pulling down 75 boards. The previous record of 67 was set on Feb. 16, 1980, versus Fresno State. It was the most by any team in the nation in nearly two years – since Georgia Southern collected 80 rebounds against College of Coastal Georgia on Dec. 12, 2020.
The Broncos did their most damage on the offensive glass, outrebounding the Oaklanders (2-8), 35-4. That led to 32 second-chance points as well. Santa Clara towered over start-up Lincoln (Calif.), who only had one player listed at 6 feet tall, while SCU had five play in Friday's game.
The Broncos' 60-point victory is tied for the fifth-largest win in program history. They also beat NCAA Division II member Sonoma State by 60, 98-38, on Nov. 6, 2018. It is tied for the third-largest win at Leavey Center, also with the Sonoma State game.
All of Santa Clara's rebounds led to plenty of shot opportunities, too. The Broncos made 15 3-pointers for the second time this season – tied for second-most ever in a game. They attempted 41 3s – their most-ever tries. SCU made 39 baskets overall, tied for seventh-most in a game, and attempted 95 shots, their most-ever.
Four Broncos scored in double figures, led by Lexie Pritchard, who tied her career high with a game-leading 18 points. Marya Hudgins had a double-double off the bench with 16 points and 15 rebounds to go with two assists in 19 minutes of work. Olivia Pollerd followed up her 19 points Wednesday at No. 2 Stanford with 13 Friday. She hit three 3-pointers and also pulled down six rebounds with two blocks and an assist. Ayzhiana Basallo scored 12 points – all on four 3-pointers – and added three assists and a steal.
Q3, 5:02 | #Broncos 58, @bigoakathletics 23
— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) December 3, 2022
Marya Hudgins hits Santa Clara's 1️⃣1️⃣th 3-pointer of the game to put them up by 3️⃣5️⃣!!#StampedeTogether | #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/GsMo74RzZY
Lincoln gave Santa Clara fits defensively in the first quarter. It swiped six steals and scored seven of its nine points in the period off eight SCU turnovers. Santa Clara only shot 33.3% in the first, but it held the Oaklanders to just 25.0% shooting.
The Broncos went off in the third quarter, scoring an outstanding 38 points in 10 minutes while holding Lincoln to just nine points. Santa Clara shot 68.2% in the third alone and hit five treys. Lincoln scored nine points in every quarter but the second, where they scored 10. The Oaklanders shot 25.5% for the game, going 2 for 18 (11.1%) from 3-point range. They were led by 15 points from Julianna Martinez.
Santa Clara next hosts undefeated NCAA Division III member UC Santa Cruz at 2 p.m. Sunday. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
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