Web update: Broncos fall to Pacific 71-65

By Ryan Donough

The Santa Clara men's basketball team returned home from a seven game road trip with a loss to the University of Pacific 71-65.

With 7:04 left in the game, the Tigers gained a 13 point advantage on a three-pointer from guard Michael Kirby. The Broncos were able to mount a comeback, cutting the lead to four, 66-62, with 57 seconds to play. Santa Clara was unable to capitalize on their opportunities down the stretch as Pacific pulled away with the victory on two free throws from junior forward Anthony Brown. Santa Clara Head Coach Kerry Keating was disappointed with the lack of effort by his team.

"I had to do a lot with how hard we played tonight," Keating said. "We've been stressing that if you don't play your hardest against better teams then you are going to get beat."

Santa Clara started off the game exchanging baskets with the Tigers but fell to a 12-6 deficit with just over 13 minutes to go in the first half. Santa Clara clawed their way back into the game thanks to sharp-shooting from sophomore guard Jonathan Gunderson who led the Broncos with nine points on 3 of 4 shooting from beyond the three-point line in the first half.

The Broncos got off to a sluggish start in the second half, falling behind 44-37. Santa Clara shot 39 percent for the game and made only one of their three-point attempts in the entire second half.

Junior center John Bryant was frustrated all night by the Tigers' defense and was ineffective, shooting just 4 for 12 from the field while bringing down only four rebounds in the contest.

"There was nothing different about the defense they were playing," Keating said. "Teams have been pushing John off the block and he isn't getting low enough when teams do that against him."

The Broncos fell into foul trouble, committing 25 fouls in the game with three Broncos recording four fouls. Santa Clara put the Tigers in double bonus 10 minutes into the second half and Pacific capitalized shooting 72 percent from the free throw line.

"I don't want to comment on the officiating but I tell my players that referees are human and the team who wants it more is going to get the calls," Keating said.

The Broncos also failed to slow the Tigers potent offense as Pacific shot an outstanding 47 percent from the field.

The one bright spot for the Broncos was senior forward Mitch Henke who led all scorers with 21 points on 50 percent shooting.