LAS VEGAS – Shooting 36-of-45 from the free throw line, No. 7 Santa Clara (16-14) edged the No. 6 University of San Diego women's basketball team (16-14) in the second round of the WCC Tournament, 86-79.
Graduate
Sydney Hunter led the Toreros with 20 points and seven rebounds in the loss. Hunter shot 8-of-16 from the floor and went 4-of-6 from the free throw line.
Senior
Erica Martinsen compiled 16 points and seven rebounds, making 12-of-17 free throw attempts.
Sophomore
Laura Erikstrup matched a career-high and registered a season high of 12 points, making 4-of-9 field goals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After Santa Clara started the scoring with a layup, San Diego answered with buckets from Hunter and Erikstrup.
- The Broncos hit back-to-back triples to take their largest lead of four in the first.
- San Diego later used a 6-0 run, including jumpers from Horstmeyer and Erikstrup to regain the lead.
- After a late layup from Khalfani, the Toreros maintained a slight 16-15 lead at the end of one.
- Three-pointers from Gorman and Erikstrup early in the second put USD ahead 22-18, but Santa Clara answered with a 6-0 run.
- The teams traded leads two more times late in the second quarter, with USD notching another 6-0 run and Santa Clara answering with six straight free throws. At halftime, Santa Clara led 40-35.
- Over the first five minutes of the third, neither team led by more than three. Santa Clara then pulled ahead with an 8-0 run.
- In the last minute of the third, the Broncos hit a three and a layup to go ahead 61-52.
- Santa Clara extended its lead to 13 mid-way through the fourth quarter.
- San Diego sprinted to a 9-0 run inside of four minutes, and trailed by just four with 1:42 left. After some more Martinsen free throws, the Toreros trailed 80-78 with 49 seconds left.
- Santa Clara made four free throws over the last 15 seconds to seal the win.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Hunter scored 20+ points for the fifth time this season, all coming in the last eight games. She ends her USD career with 1,016 points, 559 rebounds, 184 assists, 181 steals, and 26 blocks.
- Martinsen scored in double figures for the sixth time this season, while Erikstrup notched double figures for the second time.
- San Diego reached 70+ points for the 12th time this season.
- There were 60 fouls called and 88 free throw attempts in the game.
- USD held a 39-18 advantage in bench points.
- Steph Gorman ended with nine points, four assists, and three rebounds.
