SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Santa Clara University women's basketball team got off to a hot start Thursday, but it was visiting Saint Mary's conference-leading defense that would prevail on the night, as the Gaels earned a 78-64 West Coast Conference win at Leavey Center.
Santa Clara (10-9, 1-5 WCC) made five 3-pointers in the first quarter, starting the game 5 for 8 (62.5%) from deep, and led by three after 10 minutes, 23-20. But Saint Mary's (9-8, 3-3 WCC) entered the game with a conference-best 3-point defense, limiting opponents to 30.1% this season. That perimeter force stepped up in the second quarter, limiting the Broncos to just 3 for 18 (16.7%) from beyond the arc the rest of the way. Santa Clara would end the game shooting 30.8% from deep, 34.4% from the floor overall.
Hear what head @coachbillcarr had to say following tonight's hard-fought @WCChoops battle against Saint Mary's ��#StampedeTogether | #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/N25cSunHbI
— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) January 13, 2023
The Broncos were a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line Thursday. It's only the 13th time in program history they've been a perfect 100% from the free-throw line (minimum five attempts). It's only the fifth time in program history they've made at least 10 free throws without missing. At 12 for 12, it's the fourth-most free throws they've ever made on a perfect night, and the most since they went a school-record perfect 20-for-20 against LMU on Feb. 16, 2021.
Meanwhile, Saint Mary's had itself a night on the floor. The Gaels shot 49.2% Thursday after entering as the WCC's worst-shooting team at 38.6%. They also made nine 3-pointers (one shy of their season high) while shooting 52.9% from deep, also their second-best mark of the year.
Santa Clara had three players score in double figures, led by Tess Heal's 16 points. She scored 10 of her 16 in the game's final 4 1/2 minutes, including six points during the Broncos' late 11-4 push to end the game. She also tied a season high with seven assists and added a rebound and a steal. Marya Hudgins scored 11 points, pulled down five rebounds, recorded two blocks and two steals in her first career start. Jayde Cadee hit three 3-pointers and poured in 11 points off the bench. Ashlee Maldonado had an all-around night with six points, six rebounds and six assists.
Q1, 4:22 | #Broncos 18, @GaelsWBB 18
— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) January 13, 2023
Anna Johnson ties the game with a trey! The Broncos' 4️⃣th of the game!#StampedeTogether | #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/45D63kV61F
The Gaels were led by Ali Bamberger's fourth double-double of the season with game-highs in points (17) and rebounds (11). Hannah Rapp scored 14 on 6-for-7 shooting and pulled down six rebounds. Taycee Wedin hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points. Tayla Dalton added 10 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Santa Clara wraps up its short home stand at 2 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Pacific. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
TICKET INFORMATION
Individual game and season tickets are on sale now for Bronco Basketball! Click here to purchase your tickets online, call the Broncos ticket office (408-554-4660) or email them at broncostickets@scu.edu.
Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Women's Basketball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
