The Santa Clara Broncos handed the San Francisco Dons a decisive 94-73 defeat, marking a 21-point margin in favor of the higher-ranked Broncos. Santa Clara, currently ranked 40th in the NET, outpaced the Dons, who sit at 123 in the same metric. The Broncos maintained control throughout, leading by as many as 16 points in the second half and ultimately closing out the game with a 50-35 advantage.
While both teams struggled to contain the Broncos' offense, one player's performance stood out above the rest. Junior guard, Keshawn Justice, exploded for a season-high 34 points, more than doubling his average of 16.2 points per game. He also pulled down 10 rebounds, a figure that eclipses his season average by 2.5 boards. Justice's dominating performance was a key factor in the Broncos' convincing victory, as he helped Santa Clara maintain a significant lead throughout the contest.
Elijah Mahi's performance was a dominant force for Santa Clara, as he led the team in scoring with 30 points. His shooting percentages were impressive, converting 11 of 21 field goal attempts and 3 of 9 three-pointers. Mahi also contributed on the glass with 7 rebounds and added 2 assists, while also displaying a defensive presence with 1 block. His ability to score efficiently and rebound effectively made him a key factor in the Broncos' victory.
Christian Hammond and Thierry Darlan also provided significant contributions to the Santa Clara offense. Hammond scored 18 points on 6 of 11 field goal attempts, including 4 of 7 three-pointers. His ability to stretch the defense with his outside shooting was a valuable asset for the Broncos. Darlan added 15 points, shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc, making 3 of 4 three-pointers. Both Hammond and Darlan played key roles in Santa Clara's high-scoring performance, which ultimately led to their 94-73 win over San Francisco.
Ryan Beasley's 22-point effort was a bright spot for the Dons, but ultimately not enough to overcome the Broncos' strong performance. He showed a reliable stroke from beyond the arc, converting 3 of his 7 three-point attempts. Beasley's ability to distribute the ball effectively was also evident, as he recorded 5 assists. However, his supporting cast failed to match his output, leaving him to carry the load for long stretches.
Junjie Wang's 19 points came on an efficient 7-8 shooting clip from the field, including 3 three-pointers. His 1 block was a rare defensive contribution, but one that highlighted his ability to protect the paint. Despite his strong scoring, Wang's inability to contribute in other areas – he recorded just 2 rebounds and 2 assists – left him as a one-dimensional force on the court. Tyrone Riley IV's 13 points were a mixed bag, with 3 three-pointers but a 5-13 shooting performance overall. His inability to convert at the free throw line – he missed his only attempt – was a telling statistic in a game where every point mattered.
The rest of the Santa Clara roster largely adhered to their season averages, with no notable outliers.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a 12.4-point Santa Clara victory proved accurate, as the Broncos emerged with a 21-point win. However, the margin of victory was significantly wider than anticipated, suggesting a more dominant performance by Santa Clara than anticipated. In retrospect, this outcome was not surprising given the disparity in rebounding, which Santa Clara exploited to control the tempo of the game.
The decisive factors in this contest were Santa Clara's dominance on the glass and San Francisco's relative inefficiency on offense. Santa Clara's 35.7% OREB rate was a significant departure from their season average, and it allowed them to maintain possession and limit San Francisco's scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, San Francisco's 57.4% eFG% was a notable uptick from their season average, but it was not enough to overcome their struggles on the boards. The Dons' inability to match Santa Clara's rebounding prowess ultimately proved fatal, as the Broncos were able to capitalize on their advantages to secure the convincing victory.
Santa Clara's victory has bolstered its NCAA Tournament resume, as it now holds a 6-1 record against Quad 2 opponents, with a NET ranking of #40, solidifying its position as a strong contender for a 7-seed or higher in the West region. Conversely, San Francisco's loss has put its at-large bid in jeopardy, as it now sits at 3-3 against Quad 2 opponents with a NET ranking of #123, making it a long shot for a 12-seed at best, unless the Dons can string together a strong finish to the season. The Broncos' win, however, has likely secured a spot in the field, while San Francisco's loss has opened the door for other teams in the West Coast Conference to make a push for a tournament berth.