SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Sacramento State took its largest lead of the second half at 67-60, but Santa Clara finished the final eight minutes on a 23-10 run to defeat the Hornets, 83-77, on Saturday evening at Leavey Center.
Sacramento State went on a 22-2 run to flip a 45-58 deficit to a 67-60 lead. However, Santa Clara immediately responded with a 15-0 run and held off the Hornets late to pull out the victory. Sacramento State left points at the line, going 20-for-31 from the free throw line (65%), an uncharacteristic game for a team that shot a school-record 78% from the line a year ago.
The Hornets got a huge spark from sophomore
Taj Glover, who scored a career-high 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 from distance. That included 15 points in the second half. In fact, 13 of those points came during Sacramento State's 22-2 run. Junior
Mikey Williams, after averaging 17.1 ppg last season, looked good this evening, finishing with 21 points (9-11 FT), six rebounds and four assists. Both Williams (+6) and Glover (+5) were positive in plus/minus.
Tonight marked the first road game of the season for Sacramento State (1-1), which opened with a home win against Jessup on Monday. The Hornets play five of their first seven games on the road, including a four-game road trip that stretches Nov. 19-Dec. 5.
Santa Clara, the unanimous pick to win the WCC in the preseason coaches poll, improved to 3-0. The Broncos have played three home games thus far, and have won the first two by at least 19 points. They also beat Stanford in an exhibition game. Santa Clara is coming off a 26-win season that included falling to Kentucky in overtime of last year's NCAA Tournament. The team is 17-1 at the Leavey Center over the last two years.
The Broncos have long been a thorn in the Hornets' side. Since the teams' first meeting in 1951, Sacramento State is now 0-9 all-time vs. the Broncos, including 0-7 when playing on the road.
The Hornets outscored Santa Clara, 41-38, in the second half, and limited the Broncos to 40% (29-72) shooting from the field, and 32% (10-31) from the 3-point line. Santa Clara attempted 11 less free throws, but shot 15-of-20 from the line. Sacramento State finished 39% (24-61) from the field and 30% (9-30) from distance. The Hornets had 23 fast break points, and 23 points off 14 Santa Clara turnovers.
Rounding out the three Hornets in double figures was
Larry Hughes II, who finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two steals while battling cramps during the second half.
Osiris Grady had eight points and eight boards, and
Marcus Wilson eight points, four rebounds and three assists. Every other Hornet scored under five points.
The Hornets used 14 players in tonight's game
Sacramento State will play a week from today when they host UC Davis on Nov. 14 at Hornet Pavilion. Tip is set for 5 p.m. It will be the 124th meeting in the all-time series between the two rivals. Sacramento State owns a 73-50 record in the series, including 41-17 at home.
The game against Davis will be the Hornets' last at home until Dec. 9. Sacramento State will begin a four-game road trip that starts Nov. 19 at Stanford.
