Santa Clara's trip to the Alex G. Spanos Center was a successful one, as they dominated Pacific 71-56. The Broncos' victory was fueled by a balanced effort, with three players scoring in double figures. Jake Ensminger led the charge, tallying 13 points and 6 rebounds, while Allen Graves and Brenton Knapper chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The first half saw Santa Clara take control, outscoring Pacific 30-26. The Broncos' offense was clicking, with Ensminger and Graves combining for 15 points in the opening period. Pacific's TJ Wainwright kept his team within striking distance, scoring 7 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in the first half. Wainwright would finish the game with 13 points and 8 rebounds, a team-high for the Tigers.
The second half was all Santa Clara, as they outscored Pacific 41-30. The Broncos' defense was stifling, holding the Tigers to just 30% shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Santa Clara's offense continued to hum, with Ensminger and Graves leading the way. The Broncos' 15-point victory exceeded the expectations of CHD Scout, which had predicted a 4-point win for Santa Clara.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win is a significant one for Santa Clara, as it boosts their tournament resume. The game was classified as a Quadrant 2 matchup for both teams, and the Broncos' dominant performance will surely catch the attention of the selection committee. With a net ranking of 44, Santa Clara is firmly in the tournament picture, and this win will only help their cause.
For Pacific, the loss is a setback, but not a devastating one. The Tigers, with a net ranking of 106, still have work to do to get back into the tournament conversation. However, with a strong performance from Wainwright and Justin Rochelin, who added 12 points and 11 rebounds, Pacific showed glimpses of their potential.
In the end, Santa Clara's balanced effort and stifling defense was too much for Pacific. The Broncos' 15-point victory is a reflection of their strength and depth, and they want to build on this momentum as the season enters its final stretch. With this win, Santa Clara's tournament chances continue to look promising, and they will be a team to watch in the coming weeks.