Heal, Santa Clara girls cease No. 17 Gonzaga’s streak 77-72

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Tess Heal scored 16 factors, capped by two free throws with 1.8 seconds to play, and Santa Clara ended No. 17 Gonzaga’s 14-game successful streak with a 77-72 victory on Thursday evening.

The Broncos, who misplaced the primary match-up this season 78-61 for its 14th straight loss within the collection, trailed by 12 factors within the first quarter however had a 64-50 lead on Heal’s 3-pointer with 7:20 to play. After Olivia Pollerd’s 3-pointer had Santa Clara up 69-61 with 3:43 to go, the Broncos solely acquired off yet another shot and had three turnovers.

Kaylynne Truong’s 3-pointer at 1:38 capped a 13-3 run that pulled Gonzaga inside 69-66, however the Broncos made 8 of 10 free throws within the final 35 seconds.

Pollerd additionally had 16 factors for the Broncos (14-10, 5-6 West Coast Convention), whereas Ashley Hiraki added 13 and Marya Hudgins 12.

Santa Clara, which got here in taking pictures 32.6% from 3-point vary, made 10 of 20 from behind the arc. The Broncos shot 53% general and made 15 of 18 free throws. Gonzaga’s protection got here into the sport holding opponents to 39.2% taking pictures.

Yvonne Ejim scored 26 factors for Gonzaga (21-3, 11-1), which dropped right into a first-place tie with Portland (a three-point winner in extra time at San Francisco). Truong scored 16 factors and Brynna Maxwell 12 with each hitting 4 3-pointers.

Gonzaga, which travels to play San Francisco on Saturday, was 9 of 16 from distance however shot simply 47% general.

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AP girls’s school basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25