SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara men's basketball kept their momentum flowing on Sunday, picking up their third-straight win inside the Leavey Center with a 71-62 victory over the Cal Golden Bears. The Broncos are now 11-3 on the year while Cal slipped to 0-12.
Brandin Podziemski continued his strong play by scoring a game-high 20 points, his sixth 20-point outing on the season, to go with a balanced stat total of seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. The sophomore guard was 5-of-12 from the field and 4-of-9 from 3-point range.
Senior Parker Braun turned in his best game of the season with 17 points on a sharp 8-for-9 shooting night and also pulled down seven rebounds and dished out a pair of assists.
Keshawn Justice also finished in double figure scoring with 13 points, all of which coming in the second half. Justice was 3-for-6 from downtown and 5-for-11 from the field. His biggest shot of the night came inside the final minute of action after Cal made a late push and made it a two-score affair at 65-60. Justice knocked down a crucial 3-pointer to pushed the lead up to eight and close the door on the comeback bid.
Leading by nine at the half at 34-25, Santa Clara pushed their lead to as much as 13 in the second half. Cal was able to chip away at the deficit and cut the Bronco lead to four at 46-42 with just under 10 minutes to play. SCU then scored seven-straight to push the lead back to double digits.
Santa Clara maintained a three-score lead for the next five minutes of action before the Bears' Bowser knocked down a late trey with 2:40 to play to make it a five-point game.
The Broncos finished the game with a 47.4 percent scoring clip (27-of-57) and was 8-for-19 from 3-point range. SCU dominated the boards with 36 rebounds to the Bears' 24, including a 13-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
Cal shot 44.9 percent from the field and 31.6 percent for 3-point range. Joel Brown and Lars Thiemann both finished in double figure scoring with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Santa Clara has one last nonconference game on the docket before the start of WCC play. The Broncos will host Boise State for a 2:00 p.m. PT tip inside the Leavey Center on Dec. 22.
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Another big win for the Broncos as they pick up their third-straight inside the Leavey Center. @HerbSendek joined @PassarelliVoice to discuss it.#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/CYUQUaWFIT
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) December 19, 2022
Parker Braun turned in one of his best games of the season with a season-best 17 pts on 8-of-9 shooting with 7 rebounds#StampedeAhead pic.twitter.com/xgZGKLQ7wL
— Santa Clara Men's Basketball (@SantaClaraHoops) December 19, 2022
GAME NOTES
- Keshawn Justice continues his climb up the Santa Clara career scoring list. Tonight he passed Jens Gordon (1985-89) for 21st at 1,349 points.
