LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — In a West Coast Conference tournament setting that demanded execution, the Santa Clara Broncos showcased their offensive firepower from beyond the arc, building a commanding first-half lead and then holding off a persistent Pacific Tigers squad for a 76-68 victory Sunday at Orleans Arena.

The game, played before a crowd of 3,664, was defined by a blistering first-half shooting display from the Broncos. Santa Clara connected on 10 of its 15 three-pointers before halftime, racing out to a 45-38 lead at the break. That cushion, built on efficient ball movement and timely shooting, proved vital as the Tigers chipped away in the second half but could never fully close the gap.

Pacific, which finished its season at 18-15, was led by a spectacular individual effort from forward Elias Ralph. The 6-foot-7 sophomore from Okotoks, Canada, poured in a game-high 25 points, including five three-pointers, in 38 minutes of action. His backcourt partner, Jaden Clayton of Whitby, Canada, orchestrated the offense with 12 points and nine assists, narrowly missing a double-double.

Santa Clara, however, countered with a more balanced and potent attack. The Broncos improved to 25-7 and advanced in the tournament by placing five scorers in double figures, a testament to their offensive depth. Forward Allen Graves, a 6-foot-9 force from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, was particularly efficient, scoring 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting in just 24 minutes. His interior presence complemented a perimeter game that was clicking on all cylinders.

Guard Aleksandar Gavalyugov of Sofia, Bulgaria, provided a crucial spark off the bench with 11 points and six assists, while starters Christian Hammond (14 points) and Elijah Mahi (13 points, four assists) consistently made plays. The Broncos’ ball movement was superior, as evidenced by their 123.1 offensive rating on 62 possessions, significantly outpacing Pacific’s 106.8 rating.

The most critical phase of the game occurred early in the second half. After Pacific’s Justin Rochelin opened the scoring with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to four, Santa Clara unleashed a decisive 14-2 run over a four-minute span. The surge was fueled by the Broncos’ trademark ball movement, with Jake Ensminger (eight points, six assists) finding Hammond and Mahi for three-pointers, and Gavalyugov capping the run with another triple to push the lead to 62-45 with 14:40 remaining.

Pacific, demonstrating the resilience that marked its late-season push, refused to capitulate. The Tigers tightened their defense, forcing eight second-half turnovers, and slowly worked the margin down. A driving layup by Elias Ralph with 8:16 left brought Pacific within eight points at 68-60, prompting a Santa Clara timeout.

Each time the Tigers threatened, however, the Broncos had an answer. Following that timeout, Santa Clara executed a critical possession that ended with Gavalyugov finding Allen Graves for a clutch three-pointer from the wing, stretching the lead back to 11 and effectively halting Pacific’s momentum. The Tigers would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way, as Santa Clara managed the clock and made key defensive stops down the stretch.

Statistically, the game was won from long distance. Santa Clara finished 15 of 36 from three-point range, a 41.7% clip, while Pacific managed just 8 of 27. The Broncos also won the battle on the glass, securing 13 offensive rebounds to Pacific’s 12, leading to 15 second-chance points. Both teams protected the ball relatively well, with Santa Clara committing eight turnovers and Pacific giving it away nine times.

For Pacific, the loss ends a season of progress that saw them win four of their final six regular-season games. Alongside Ralph and Clayton, contributions came from Isaac Jack with six points and Kajus Kublickas with four points and five assists.

Santa Clara, which entered as a heavy favorite according to advanced metrics and betting lines, now looks ahead to the next challenge in the tournament bracket. Their ability to generate high-quality shots from deep, shared scoring load, and composure when challenged will be key assets as they continue their postseason journey. The victory also served as a measure of revenge after Pacific had pushed them in two closer regular-season meetings, though the Broncos had won both.