Santa Clara Game Recap: Irish Pull Away From Broncos, Notre Dame 84 Santa Clara 69

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Nov 22, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Santa Clara Broncos guard Brandon Clark (3) shoots a three point basket as Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Pat Connaughton (24) defends in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Santa Clara hung around with the Fighting Irish, but were never able to take the lead in a 84 to 69 loss.

On the bright side, the Broncos got a great contribution from guard Brandon Clark, who scored 21 points and dished out 6 assists. Freshman guard Jared Brownridge scored 16 points, and senior point guard Evan Roquemore had 9 points in his return to action. Yannick Atanga led Santa Clara tonight with 5 rebounds rebounds.

Notre Dame’s backcourt was as good as advertised tonight. Grant Atkins, Pat Connaughton, and Jerrian Grant combined for 43 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists, and 4 steals tonight.

As a team, Notre Dame shot 43.6% from three, which is much improved from the 26.9% it shot in its 83-70 home beat down at the hands of Indiana State.

The Irish outrebounded the Broncos 42-25, a stat that plagued Santa Clara all night. The Irish corralled 16 offensive rebounds, and got way too many second chance points.

Stat of the Night

Santa Clara’s Brownridge has scored double-digit points in every one of the Bronco’s four games this season, and has shot under 50% from the field only once.

Keys to the Game Checklist

Keep up with the Notre Dame Backcourt- Check

The Broncos starting backcourt only scored 3 less points than the Irish’s big three.

Browntown – X

Jerry Brown was alright in this game, but nothing spectacular. His 6 points and 4 rebounds were mere contributions to the Broncos tonight.

The Bottom Line

A loss is never something to celebrate, but there was some good things to take away if you are Santa Clara. The guards played well, and paced the Broncos against a probable NCAA tournament squad. The Broncos will need to build on these small successes and carry them into the remainder of their non-conference schedule, as well as the start of the West Coast Conference season.

Santa Clara hung around with the Fighting Irish, but were never able to take the lead in a 84 to 69 loss.

On the bright side, the Broncos got a great contribution from guard Brandon Clark, who scored 21 points and dished out 6 assists. Freshman guard Jared Brownridge scored 16 points, and senior point guard Evan Roquemore had 9 points in his return to action. Yannick Atanga led Santa Clara tonight with 5 rebounds rebounds.

Notre Dame’s backcourt was as good as advertised tonight. Grant Atkins, Pat Connaughton, and Jerrian Grant combined for 43 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists, and 4 steals tonight.

As a team, Notre Dame shot 43.6% from three, which is much improved from the 26.9% it shot in its 83-70 home beat down at the hands of Indiana State.

The Irish outrebounded the Broncos 42-25, a stat that plagued Santa Clara all night. The Irish corralled 16 offensive rebounds, and got way too many second chance points.

Stat of the Night

Santa Clara’s Brownridge has scored double-digit points in every one of the Bronco’s four games this season, and has shot under 50% from the field only once.

Keys to the Game Checklist

Keep up with the Notre Dame Backcourt- Check

The Broncos starting backcourt only scored 3 less points than the Irish’s big three.

Browntown – X

Jerry Brown was alright in this game, but nothing spectacular. His 6 points and 4 rebounds were mere contributions to the Broncos tonight.

The Bottom Line

A loss is never something to celebrate, but there was some good things to take away if you are Santa Clara. The guards played well, and paced the Broncos against a probable NCAA tournament squad. The Broncos will need to build on these small successes and carry them into the remainder of their non-conference schedule, as well as the start of the West Coast Conference season.