Jake Ensminger (44) shoots and scores a 3-pointer for the Broncos in Santa Clara men’s basketball’s game against the University of San Diego on Jan. 4, 2025, at the Leavey Center. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Santa Clara men’s basketball hosted the University of San Diego at Leavey Center on Sunday, Jan. 4, hoping to continue its win streak in WCC play.

The Broncos took control immediately, opening the game with a 7-0 run and later an 11-0 run to head into halftime up 45-32. This was largely due to the performance of Christian Hammond ’28, who had 13 points in the first half.

San Diego began the second half on an 8-2 run, cutting the Broncos’ lead to seven. However, Santa Clara responded with a 17-2 run to extend the lead to 22 with just over 10 minutes left in the game.

Former NBA G League player Thierry Darlan ’27 hit consecutive three-pointers during that stretch and finished with a tally of 14 points.

The Broncos led by 25 with 2:30 to play. Moments later, walk-on Brendan Yarusso ’26 entered the game, scoring back-to-back threes and adding a pair of free throws for eight points in the final minute.

“I have to consider starting him next game. He’s a phenomenal competitor. He has added a great deal to our culture,” Coach Herb Sendek praised.

Brendan Yarusso (50) high-fives Jake Ensminger (44) after Yarusso made a three-pointer. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Overall, the Broncos shot 50% from the field and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. They recorded 19 offensive rebounds and 24 assists.

San Diego’s leading scorer, Ty-Laur Johnson, entered the game as the WCC’s leading scorer in conference play, but he finished tied with Hammond at 21 points and 7 assists.

The last time the Broncos were 4-0 in WCC play was the 1997 season, in which they opened conference play 5-0.

Hammond has scored in the double figures in 14 games this season and was named to the early-season watch list for the Lou Henson Award. Allen Graves ’29 was one rebound short of a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 9 rebounds.

Though Elijah Mahi ’26 didn’t have his usual high-scoring game, he contributed heavily with a career-high nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals. “That’s what this sport’s all about. There’s going to be nights that you shoot the ball better than you do other nights, and so you gotta find other ways to win, other ways to play well. That usually starts and ends on the defensive end of the floor and on the backboard,” Sendek credited Mahi.

The Broncos are 8-0 at the Leavey Center this season.

Next up: The Broncos travel to Gonzaga on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN+, where two undefeated teams will face off in a primetime showdown that could greatly affect the WCC race.