Santa Clara boosts NCAA Tournament credentials, earns WCC semifinal rematch vs. Saint Mary’s

LAS VEGAS — The Santa Clara Broncos continued to build their case for a NCAA Tournament bid on Sunday night — along with getting another shot at the Saint Mary’s Gaels.

Freshman Allen Graves came off the bench to score 19 points in the Broncos’ 76-68 win over Pacific in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament. The No. 3 seeded Broncos (25-7) will play the No. 2 Gaels tonight in the semifinals. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2. (No. 4 seed Oregon State will play top-seeded Gonzaga in the other semifinal.)

This will be the third meeting of the season between the Bay Area schools. The Gaels won the last matchup 86-67 two weeks ago in Moraga after the Broncos won 62-54 in Santa Clara in mid-January.

The Broncos are seeking their first NCAA Tournament invitation since 1996.

“They’re an NCAA Tournament team and it shows,” Pacific head coach Dave Smart said. “I think they are in and I think they should be in and I think they’re going to be a scary opponent for whoever they play.”

Against the Tigers, Graves made 7 of 10 shots with three 3-pointers and both of his free throws for the Broncos. Christian Hammond had 14 points and Elijah Mahi posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Reserve Sash Gavalyugov totaled 11 points and six assists.

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi had the Broncos included as a No. 11 seed in his projected field even before their win over Pacific. At-large bids to non-champions will be revealed on Selection Sunday. The winner of the WCC Tournament receives an automatic bid into the Big Dance.

“They’re very much a present-moment, here-and-now team,” SCU coach Herb Sendek said. “When you’re in the arena you just don’t have the luxury of entertaining a lot of outside emotions or commentary.”

Graves buried all five of his first-half shots, including two 3-pointers, to guide Santa Clara to a 45-38 advantage at halftime.

Graves hit another 3 to finish off a 12-0 run and the Broncos took a 62-48 lead with 14 minutes left. Pacific got no closer than eight from there.

Elias Ralph sank five 3-pointers and scored 25 to lead the sixth-seeded Tigers (18-15). Jaden Clayton pitched in with 12 points and nine assists.

— The Santa Clara women face Gonzaga today at 2 p.m. in the WCC Tournament semifinals on ESPN+.

Santa Clara won the last meeting 77-73 on Jan. 4.

 

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.