SANTA CLARA, Calif. - A short-handed Santa Clara men's basketball team pulled away in the second half to down Mount St. Mary's 88-77 in a nonconference contest on Tuesday night inside the Leavey Center.
Jalen Williams led the scoring charge for Santa Clara (7-3) with a game-high 22 points, his third-straight 20-point game and fifth of the season. The junior from Gilbert, Arizona had a strong all-around night as he tied his career-high of six assists to go along with seven rebounds.
Four other Broncos tallied double digit scoring led by Keshawn Justice's WCC-leading fourth double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Parker Braun Chipped in 16 points, PJ Pipes scored 13 and Carlos Stewart provided a boost off the bench with a career-high 12 points.
The Broncos were without starters Josip Vrankic and Jaden Bediako with each nursing non-COVID ailments. In their abscence, Miguel Tomley was tasked with his first start of the season.
After the Mountaineers knotted the game at 50-all on Nana Opoku's and-1 conversion early in the second half, Williams took over, scoring 12-straight points to give Santa Clara a double digit lead at 62-52. The Broncos pushed that lead to as much as 16 down the stretch.
Opoku led Mount St. Mary's with 21 points and nine rebounds while Mezie Offurum chipped in with 18 points and Dakota Leffew scored 11.
In the first half, the Broncos shot a blistering 61-percent from the field but only led by a three point margin, 46-43, as Mount St. Mary's had 11 more field goal attempts and turned the ball over just once. The Mountaineers also moved the ball well and had an assist in 17 of its 19 field goals.
For the game, Santa Clara had 58-percent field goal percentage and converted on 18 of 22 free throws. Mount St. Mary's shot 44-percent from the field and turned the ball over three times.
NOTES
- Miguel Tomley made his first start of the season.
- Carlos Stewart scored a career-high 12 points.
- The six assists by Jalen Williams matched a career-high.
- Keshawn Justice recorded his fourth double-double of the season.
- The Broncos had five players score in double figures for the first time this season.
POSTGAME VIDEOS
Broncos have five players score in double figures as they take down Mount St. Mary's for win No. 7 on the year. @HerbSendek gives us the recap ��#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/TfA94nsTH3
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) December 8, 2021
.@tiggo3justice extended his WCC-leading double-double count to four tonight with 17 pts and 10 reb. He shares his thoughts on the win ��#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/Fux2gGDSZS
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) December 8, 2021
NEXT UP
- The Broncos travel to Cal for its first true road game of the season on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.
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