The Santa Clara Broncos defeated the San Francisco Dons 88‑73 on Wednesday, extending their WCC winning streak to four games and improving to 8‑1 in conference play. Senior guard Marco “Mack” Alvarez led with 22 points, while the team shot 48.5% and pulled down 38 rebounds, solidifying their hold on the second seed.
Game Summary and Key Stats
First Half Dominance
Santa Clara set the tone early with a 12‑2 run, establishing a 15‑7 lead within six minutes. The Broncos limited the Dons to four three‑pointers in the half, far below the Dons’ season average of 9.6, and built a 12‑point cushion at halftime (45‑33).
Second Half Adjustments
The Dons narrowed the gap to six points midway through the third quarter, but seven unforced turnovers halted their momentum. Santa Clara responded with balanced scoring—five players reached double figures—and maintained a 48.5% field‑goal percentage. The frontcourt secured 38 rebounds, including 12 offensive boards that generated second‑chance points.
- Final Score: Santa Clara 88, San Francisco 73
- Shooting: 34‑of‑71 (48.5%) for the Broncos; 27‑of‑68 (39.7%) for the Dons
- Rebounds: 38‑3 advantage (12 offensive rebounds for Santa Clara)
- Three‑Point Shooting: Broncos held opponents to 6.7 threes per game average; Dons made 6‑of‑28
Standout Performances
Broncos Leaders
Marco “Mack” Alvarez – 22 points (9‑of‑15), four three‑pointers, five assists, two steals (MVP).
Tyler Jensen – 14 points, 11 rebounds (double‑double).
Ethan Liu – 12 points, team‑high six assists.
Dons Highlights
Jamal Carter – 18 points, six rebounds.
Ryan Patel – 15 points.
The Dons shot just 35% from the field, a significant drop from their season average.
Impact on WCC Standings
Broncos Position
The victory moves Santa Clara to 8‑1 in conference play, solidifying the second seed just one game behind league leader Gonzaga. With two regular‑season games remaining, the Broncos are in a strong position to challenge for the top spot.
Dons Outlook
San Francisco falls to 5‑4 in the WCC, tying for fifth place. The loss emphasizes the need to improve three‑point efficiency and ball security to remain in contention for a top‑four tournament seed.
Looking Ahead
Upcoming Broncos Game
Santa Clara travels to face Gonzaga, the conference’s top seed. A win could elevate the Broncos to the premier spot and secure a more favorable tournament matchup.
Upcoming Dons Game
The Dons head to Pepperdine, a high‑scoring opponent that may help revive their three‑point rhythm but will also test their defensive adjustments.
