Vrankic's putback lifts Santa Clara over Saint Mary's 67-66
MORAGA, Calif. -- Josip Vrankic had 22 points and 10 rebounds and scored the go-ahead basket with 9.4 seconds left to help Santa Clara beat Saint Mary's 67-66 on Saturday night.
The Broncos' Trey Wertz missed a driving layup and Vrankic grabbed the offensive rebound. Vrankic was short on the first putback attempt but grabbed the rebound and scored on the second putback. Malik Fitts missed a pair of attempts in the final seconds for Saint Mary's.
DJ Mitchell added 16 points and eight boards for Santa Clara (15-3, 2-1 West Coast Conference), which snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Gaels with the last victory a 71-70 win on Feb. 28, 2015.
Jordan Ford had 30 points and Fitts added 17 points and 11 rebounds for Saint Mary's (15-4, 2-2).
The Gaels took control with a 13-0 run early in the second half but missed 14 of their final 16 shots from the field. The Broncos made five of their final seven shots.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Marc A. Beasley
- Wilson Holland
- Daryl Gelinas
2023-24 West Coast Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Saint Mary's | 15-1 | - | 26-8 |
Gonzaga | 14-2 | 1 | 27-8 |
San Francisco | 11-5 | 4 | 23-11 |
Santa Clara | 10-6 | 5 | 20-13 |
San Diego | 7-9 | 8 | 18-15 |
Pepperdine | 5-11 | 10 | 13-20 |
Loyola Marymount | 5-11 | 10 | 12-19 |
Portland | 5-11 | 10 | 12-21 |
Pacific | 0-16 | 15 | 6-26 |