Bronco briefs

Men's Basketball

USF 72, Santa Clara 64

On Sunday night, senior forward Travis Niesen scored 13 points in the Broncos' fifth straight loss of the season. Santa Clara kept it relatively close for much of the game with nine lead changes in the first ten minutes. San Francisco led at the half by seven points. However, the Dons' Armando Surratt scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half and hit a late three to give San Francisco the lead for good at 63-60. This loss also marks the fourth straight time during the regular season that Santa Clara has fallen to the Dons.

USD 81, Santa Clara 66

With Niesen on the bench for Santa Clara due to back spasms, the Broncos started two freshmen, two sophomores and a walk-on, who gave an inspired performance at Leavey, but fell short in the end. Sophomore Mitch Henke led the way with 15 points while sophomore point guard Brody Angley and senior guard Brandon Rohe had 13 apiece. The Toreros led by 12 at halftime and never looked back. Santa Clara falls to 1-6 in conference play. Niesen's status is questionable for Saturday's game at Gonzaga.

WOMen's BasketbalL

Santa Clara 66, USF 61

The Broncos extended their winning streak to three with a strong road win at San Francisco last Thursday night. Senior guard and five-time WCC Player of the Week this season Michelle Cozad had her tenth double-double on the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Santa Clara out-rebounded the Dons by 13 which made up for poor shooting early on in the game. Cozad alone grabbed eight boards in the first half. The Broncos led by as much as 11 points before San Francisco chipped away in a losing effort. The win helped Santa Clara move to a second-place tie with Pepperdine in the WCC.

Santa Clara 67, USD 63

Improving to 5-2 in conference play, the Broncos took care of San Diego on the road behind the clutch play of senior guard Kayla Huss who scored all of her 12 points in the second half including seven in the last four minutes. Both Michelle Cozad and junior forward Kasey Monteith posted double-doubles while guards Tracey Walker and Anna Martin had 11 points apiece. Santa Clara was up by ten at the half and came out shooting in the second, scoring the first ten points. However, it was soon erased by the Toreros who went on a 21-2 room to narrow the Bronco lead by one late in the game. Huss helped ice the game for the Broncos in the final minutes of the game with two outside shots and a much-needed three. The Lady Broncos will host Gonzaga tonight at the Leavey Center.

--From staff reports