#9 Santa Clara Tramples #8 Pacific
By Josh Horton
Dec 28, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Santa Clara Broncos head coach Kerry Keating reacts against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The WCC tournament is a win-or-go-home scenario for most teams, especially those with lower seeds. Teams must bring it every single night or their season will abruptly end.
In the 8-9 matchup between Santa Clara and Pacific, the Broncos prevailed, defeating the Tigers by a score of 81 to 64.
The game started off slow, with both teams struggling to make shots. Towards the end of the first half, the game started to speed up thanks to a bevy of three’s by each squad. Santa Clara ended up with a 34-29 lead at halftime.
It was all Santa Clara in the second half, as the Broncos outscored the Tigers 47 to 35. The Broncos cruised in the last 7 or 8 minutes and held off some small Pacific runs to ensure victory.
Santa Clara was led by freshman Jared Brownridge, who scored 20 points. Jerry Brown’s eight rebounds was a team-high. Brandon Clark chipped in 15 points and led the Broncos in assists with three. Evan Roqumore and Brown also scored in double figures with 17 and 12 points respectively.
Pacific’s Sama Taku led the Tigers tonight with 16 points. Freshman guard T.J. Wallace was the Tigers leading rebounder tonight with seven. Andrew Bock and David Taylor both led the Tigers in assists tonight with two a piece. Tony Gill was the only other Pacific player to finish with double-digit points with 10.
Keys to the Game Checklist
Santa Clara
Evan Roquemore
Although Roqumore has had a disappointing season, he brought it tonight offensively, scoring 17 points.
Pacific
Experience
While its tough to judge, Pacific experience appeared to fail them tonight. The youth and athleticism of Santa Clara got the best of Pacific tonight.
Player of the Game
Jared Brownridge
Just like in the game earlier, it was a freshman that stole the show, as Brownridge scored 20 points on seven of 14 shooting.
Moving Forward
The Broncos will play Gonzaga on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Santa Clara was very close to knocking off the Bulldogs earlier this season in Santa Clara, but Sam Dower crushed the prospect of an upset with a mid-range jumper at the buzzer.
Pacific’s reentrance season into the WCC comes to end. Seven seniors – Andrew Bock, Tim Thomas, Khalil Kelley, Sama Taku, Trevin Harris, Ross Rivera and Tony Gill – careers ended tonight with the loss.