Bronco briefs
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Saint Mary's 54, Santa Clara 51
The Gaels were able to capitalize on a few late fouls by Santa Clara to edge out a victory in Moraga in the first of two consecutive games against their old rivals. Junior center Sean Denison and senior forward Travis Niesen had 16 points apiece, with Denison tying his career-high in points scored. The Broncos went on a late 7-0 run with about three minutes left to play and were ahead by a point before Saint Mary's Todd Golden hit four straight free throws. Senior Gael forward Daniel Kickert surpassed Luc Longley to become the NCAA's all-time scorer by an Australian national. Kickert had a game-high 21 points in the win.
Saint Mary's 76, Santa Clara 69
The second game between Saint Mary's and Santa Clara in three days yielded another loss for the Broncos and several stitches for some of their key players. In a controversial no-call by the referees, Kickert knocked Niesen out of the first half with a flagrant forearm blow to the mouth. Niesen was able to come back following the half, after receiving four stitches, to score 18 points including a three-point buzzer beater that sent the game into overtime tied at 63. However, the zone defense was not enough to stop the Gaels who found the basket from the outside throughout the game. Sophomore point guard Brody Angley also received an elbow to the face that required stitches. Niesen led all players with 20 points.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Santa Clara 69, St. Mary's 57
The Broncos captured their seventh straight and are on their longest winning streak since the 1999-00 season last Thursday night at the Leavey Center. In the win over the Gaels, a total of five Broncos were in double figures in scoring with senior guard Michelle Cozad leading the way with 22 points and seven rebounds. Cozad is only 72 points shy of scoring 1,000 points as a Bronco. After jumping out to a 21-7 lead in the first half, Santa Clara was slowed by the Gaels who were able to close the gap to 31-30 at halftime. The Broncos were able to force turnovers in the second half, led by junior forward Kasey Monteith's three steals and two blocks to stay ahead by at least five points for the remainder of the game.
BaseBALL
Santa Clara 4, San Diego St. 3
The Broncos opened their first home series at Schott Stadium against the Aztecs on Friday night. Freshman Sean O'Neill threw seven innings, allowing five hits, while fellow freshman Mark Willinsky got the save. Down 3-0 after the top of the fifth, Santa Clara scored one run in the inning and tied the game in the sixth on a sacrifice bunt that drove in two more. Eric Newton's RBI double in the eighth put the Broncos ahead for good.
San Diego St. 10, Santa Clara 4
On Saturday afternoon at Schott, the Broncos dropped the second game of the series getting 13 hits. Seniors Jason Matteucci and Kris Watts had three hits each with Matteucci scoring a run and driving in two. The Broncos stranded 11 players on base and only had two extra-base hits in the losing effort. Two Aztec home runs were enough for the victory.
Santa Clara 10, San Diego St. 6
Santa Clara jumped out to an early six-run lead in the first inning, giving starting pitcher Matt Wickswat a good cushion to work with. The Aztecs worked their way back in the sixth, coming within one run, however later in the sixth, Matteucci and senior Kevin Drever drove in a couple to increase the lead to three.
men's tennis
Brigham Young 6 , Santa Clara 1
Santa Clara lost two doubles matches and five singles to earn only one point in a loss to the No. 74-ranked Cougars at Provo. The duo of sophomores Kevin McQuaid and Blaine Shields was able to edge their opponent 8-4 while junior Bobby Rasmussen's match went three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8).
Utah 7 , Santa Clara 0
Men's tennis dropped their second-straight match in the Beehive State with a loss at Utah. Both McQuaid and freshman Tommy Hicks lasted three sets against their opponents, but were not able to win at Salt Lake City. All three doubles seeds lost as well. The Broncos are now 5-6 and will face off with USF at the Degheri Tennis Center Wednesday.
women's tennis
Santa Clara 4 , Gonzaga 2
Doubles matches were not played during the Broncos' win in Spokane last Thursday night. All four Santa Clara points came from strong wins in the singles bracket. Freshman Samanatha Georgino won 6-2, 6-0 in the second spot. Junior Erika Barnes swept her opponent 6-0, 6-0. Additionally, sophomore Myra Davoudi and freshman Stephanie Herrmann won their matches 6-1, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-3 respectively.
Washington St. 7 , Santa Clara 0
Against an exhausted Bronco squad, the Cougars from Pullman swept the Broncos singles decisions. The women's tennis team is now 3-5 on the year and will return home tomorrow.
--From staff reports