SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Santa Clara used a late 10-0 run to take control, and eventually defeat Sacramento State, 72-65, on Saturday afternoon at the Leavey Center.
In a game that featured 12 ties and 10 lead changes, neither team led by more than 10 points the entire way. The biggest sequence of the game was a late 10-0 Broncos run that lasted over two minutes, stretching a tie game to a 66-56 lead with two minutes to play. Sacramento State did score the next five points to make things interesting, but would get no closer the rest of the way.
The Hornets' largest lead of the game was five points with 10 minutes to play in the second half, while the Broncos' biggest lead was the 66-56 advantage with two minutes to play. Sacramento State outrebounded the Broncos, 40-34, and half of the team's 72 points came in the paint. In addition, the Hornets had 18 offensive rebounds, which led to a 20-10 advantage in second chance points.
Santa Clara, which was playing the first of a nine-game homestand, won its fourth straight while improving to 7-2. Sacramento State dropped to 3-5. The Hornets were playing the finale of a stretch that saw the team play seven of its first eight games away from home. Sacramento State will finally return to the Nest next week for home games against Denver (Wednesday) and Long Beach State (Saturday).
The Hornets shot 41% (26-64) from the field, 27% (6-22) from the 3-point line and 64% (7-11) from the free throw line. The Broncos shot 44% (27-61) from the field, including 7-for-23 (30%) from distance. The Hornets had 16 assists on their 26 made buckets, including four assists from both
Zach Chappell and
Cameron Wilbon.
The Broncos led for over 28 minutes of game clock, held a 26-24 halftime advantage, and received a combined 49 points from Brandin Podziemski (27) and Carlos Stewart (22).
The Hornets had three players score in double figures, led by
Callum McRae's double-double as he finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Four of those boards came on the offensive glass. In the process, McRae, a native of New Zealand, became just the 15th Kiwi to play 100 career NCAA Div. I basketball games. He had a double-double by halftime (10 points, 11 rebounds).
Chappell had a team-high 17 points to go with four rebounds and four assists. He has now scored at least 17 points on four occasions this season. Forward
Akol Mawein scored in double figures for the fourth time in the last six games with 12 points and four boards. Mawein was proficient, shooting 4-for-5 from the field, 1-of-1 from distance, and 3-for-5 from the charity stripe.
Wilbon had seven points and four assists,
Hunter Marks had five points,
Gianni Hunt four points, four rebounds and two assists, and
Austin Patterson three points and six boards.
Quadry Adams added two points as eight different Hornets cracked the scoring column.
Podziemski had 18 points for Santa Clara in the second half, and scored eight of the Broncos' 10 points during the late game-clinching 10-0 spurt.
Sacramento State returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts Denver. That game will tip at 7 p.m.
