SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Freshman Tess Heal scored 16 factors, capped by two free throws with 1.8 seconds to play, and Santa Clara ended No. 17 Gonzaga’s 14-game profitable streak with a 77-72 victory on Thursday night time.
The Broncos, who snapped a seven-year dropping streak within the sequence, trailed by 12 factors within the first quarter however had a 64-50 lead on Heal’s 3-pointer with 7:20 to play. After Olivia Pollerd’s 3-pointer had Santa Clara up 69-61 with 3:43 to go, the Broncos solely acquired off yet one more shot and had three turnovers.
Kaylynne Truong’s 3-pointer at 1:38 capped a 13-3 run that pulled Gonzaga inside 69-66, however the Broncos made 8 of 10 free throws within the final 35 seconds.
Santa Clara coach Invoice Carr mentioned he anticipated a top-20 group like Gonzaga to make a run.
“In fact they’re going to come back again,” Carr advised the varsity’s web site after the sport. “You simply hope you've got sufficient down the stretch, and we did.”
Pollerd additionally had 16 factors for the Broncos (14-10, 5-6 West Coast Convention), whereas Ashley Hiraki added 13 and Marya Hudgins 12.
Heal’s huge night time places her in good place for a possible ninth WCC Freshman of the Week award this season.
Santa Clara, which got here in taking pictures 32.6% from 3-point vary, made 10 of 20 from behind the arc. The Broncos shot 53% total and made 15 of 18 free throws. Gonzaga’s protection got here into the sport holding opponents to 39.2% taking pictures.
Yvonne Ejim scored 26 factors for Gonzaga (21-3, 11-1), which dropped right into a first-place tie with Portland (a three-point winner in additional time at San Francisco). Truong scored 16 factors and Brynna Maxwell 12 with each hitting 4 3-pointers.
Gonzaga, which travels to play San Francisco on Saturday, was 9 of 16 from distance however shot simply 47% total.
The Broncos host Portland on Saturday afternoon.
“We’ll get to take pleasure in this for about 12 hours, and a extremely good Portland group rolls in right here on Saturday,” Carr mentioned.
The three️⃣s have been ☔️ 𝑅𝒶𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 ☔️ down within the first half! 👌👌👌#StampedeTogether | #SCUBroncospic.twitter.com/27TnHN2Qx4
— Santa Clara Girls's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) February 3, 2023