SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The senior trio of Josip Vrankic, PJ Pipes and Keshawn Justice had a Senior Day to remember, combining for 69 points as Santa Clara rolled to a 102-89 victory over Portland. With the victory, the Broncos finish the regular season with a 20-10 record, securing their second 20-win season of the last three years.
Vrankic finished with a game-high 30 points to go with seven assists and four rebounds, and was one of four Broncos that scored at least 14 points in the win. Pipes dropped 23 for his second 20-pt game in the last three outings. He was 5-of-7 from 3-point range and 8-of-11 from the floor. Jalen Williams nearly finished with his second points-assists double-double of the year, dishing out nine assists to go with 16 points and six rebounds. Justice hit three triples as part of a 14-point game with six rebounds.
Santa Clara shot the ball light's out from start to finish, especially in the second half as they knocked down 22-of-29 shot from the floor (75.9 percent), including 8-of-10 from 3-pt range. The Broncos finished the game with an overall shooting clip of 60 percent (36-of-60) and was 14-of-25 from beyond the arc (56.0).
It was a back-and-forth affair for much of the first half. After Santa Clara took a five-point lead with 12 minutes to go in the quarter, Portland used a 10-0 run to grab the lead. The Broncos chipped back and the lead exchanged hands five more times over the final six minutes. A couple of free throws from Vrankic inside 30 seconds gave the Broncos the lead at the half, 41-40.
Portland (17-13, 7-7) gained the lead again on their first possession of the second half on a 3-pointer, however Santa Clara clamed the lead for good just two minutes later on a Justice triple. The Pilots didn't go down without a fight, however, chipping the lead to as little as two points at 63-61 with 13 minutes to play, but the Broncos would quickly take control for good thanks to an 11-3 run that was punctuated by a Jalen Williams highlight reel dunk that pushed the lead to 74-64. Santa Clara would go on to cruise through the final 10 minutes of play, pushing their lead to as much as 17 with under a minute to go.
Santa Clara dished out 23 assists and won the rebounding battle 31-29.
Portland shot the ball well with a 51 percent clip (35-of-69) as Moses Wood led the way with 23 points and seven rebounds.
NOTES
- This was the Broncos' first game scoring 100 points since Dec. 20, 2019 vs. Mississippi Valley State (100-71).
- It was Santa Clara's first 100-point game in conference play since Feb. 16, 2017 vs. Pepperdine (106-55).
- Josip Vrankic tallied his second-career 30-pt game (33 vs. Pepperdine, 2020).
- Santa Clara extended their winning streak over the Pilots to 13.
- This is the sixth game of the season in which Santa Clara has hit 10 or more 3-pointers
POSTGAME VIDEO
.@HerbSendek recaps tonight's victory as the Broncos cap the regular season with a 20-10 overall record.#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/TykfJHxHdJ
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) February 27, 2022
What a way to finish. @JosipVrankic scores 30 pts on Senior Day to help power the Broncos to victory#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/VikabmFzt4
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) February 27, 2022
Grad transfer senior @pj_pipes thoughts after his final regular season game at the Leavey Center.#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/u3lrresU3N
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) February 27, 2022
NEXT UP
- Santa Clara is heading to the WCC Tournament next weekend in Las Vegas. The full bracket will be announced by the WCC soon.
Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
• Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat
• Men's Basketball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat
