WCC Power Rankings, February 4th

Jan 29, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Santa Clara Broncos forward Nate Kratch (43) knocks the ball away from Gonzaga Bulldogs forward/center Sam Dower (35) during the first half at Leavey Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

10. Santa Clara

Last Week: 8 (Down 2 spots)

Record: 10-14 (3-8)

RPI: 217

KenPom: 192

Place in Conf. Standings: 9

By Max Graves

The Broncos were one defensive stand away from shocking the conference on Wednesday night, but a 3 by Sam Dower with 1.9 seconds left gave Gonzaga the 54-52 victory. The Broncos played fantastic defense throughout the game, holding one of the top scoring teams in the country to well below their average. Evan Roquemore was huge off the bench, with 15 points including 4 of 6 from three point range.

The Broncos, maybe feeling a little hangover from their heartbreaking loss on Wednesday, were defeated handily by the Portland Pilots 76-64 on Saturday night. Once again, the lack of size from the Broncos killed them down low, losing the rebounding margin by 11 and giving up 28 points to Pilot big man Thomas Van Der Mars. Brownridge led the Broncos with 20 points, and with the loss the Broncos fell to 10-14 overall, and 3-8 in conference play.

Next week the Broncos look to snap their current 6 game losing streak at BYU and USD.