SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Santa Clara University women's basketball team got back on track Saturday in a big way, blowing out visiting Pacific, 80-66, in a West Coast Conference matchup at Leavey Center.
The Broncos (11-9, 2-5 WCC) scored their most points in the first quarter. They finished the first with a 32-16 lead, shooting an impressive 78.6% from the field and a perfect 100% (4 for 4) from beyond the arc. The Tigers (7-11, 2-5 WCC) were held to 32.4% shooting from the field in the first half. Pacific got hot late in the second half, closing the game shooting 50% in the final two quarters. But the improvement was not enough to catch the Broncos, whose lead grew to as large as 25 at the start of the fourth period.
Freshman guard Marya Hudgins had a big game Saturday, scoring a season-high 21 points and pulling down nine rebounds, narrowly missing her second double-double of the year. This coming after her first career start Thursday against Saint Mary's. Hudgins added two steals. The Broncos totaled 16 steals as a team, the most they've had in a game since also swiping 16 against LMU in the WCC Tournament on March 8, 2021, in Las Vegas.
The Broncos had three players score in double figures. Hudgins' 21 paired with fellow freshman Tess Heal's 14 points. Lara Edmanson poured in 15 and had four rebounds and two steals. Ashlee Maldonado was one point and one assist away from a double-double, scoring nine and tallying a career-high nine assists.
Q3, 1:10 | #Broncos 75, @ @Pacific_Hoops 53
— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) January 14, 2023
Movement on the floor, 17 pts for Marya Hudgins!
Ashley Hiraki's fifth assist of the game. #StampedeTogether | #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/qdvqZqaFrv
The Broncos' defense created plenty of offense on the day. The team's near-two-year high of 16 steals led to 21 points off turnovers. Santa Clara forced Pacific into 24 giveaways, its third-most this season. Ashley Hiraki caused the most trouble for the Tigers, collecting a career-high seven steals. She also scored six points, had five assists and four rebounds.
Pacific had three players finish with double-digit points. Rosie Schwierzer led the Tigers with 18 points while shooting 8 for 10 from the field. She was followed by Sam Ashby with 13 points and four rebounds. Anaya James ended the game with 10 points and four assists.
Santa Clara will go on the road next week for two WCC contests, first heading to San Diego on Thursday, then facing BYU in Provo, Utah, on Saturday. Fans can find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
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