MORAGA, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and resilience, the Santa Clara Broncos weathered a significant second-half surge from Saint Mary’s to secure a hard-fought 68-63 victory in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup Saturday at McKeon Pavilion.

The Broncos, who improved to 16-5 overall, appeared poised to run away with the contest early, building a 34-23 lead by halftime. They opened the game with a 20-point first quarter, capitalizing on Saint Mary’s cold start. The Gaels, who fell to 11-9, managed just 12 points in the opening period and connected on only 3 of 17 three-point attempts for the entire game.

Santa Clara’s lead ballooned to 16 points midway through the third quarter after a Maia Jones three-pointer made the score 46-30. However, the complexion of the game shifted dramatically from there. Saint Mary’s mounted a 17-1 run over the next five minutes, erasing the large deficit and tying the game at 47 on a Mauriana Hashemian-Orr floating jumper with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter. The Gaels’ defense stiffened, forcing several Santa Clara turnovers, while Jada Hunter and Abigail Shoff provided the offensive firepower during the comeback.

The Broncos, who had seen a comfortable lead evaporate, steadied themselves to close the quarter. Ashley Hawkins answered with a floating jumper and a free throw to give Santa Clara a slim 50-47 edge heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter evolved into a tense, back-and-forth affair with six lead changes. Saint Mary’s took its first lead since the opening minutes at 53-51 on a Malia Latu layup with 7:01 to play. The teams traded baskets, with Saint Mary’s holding a 63-61 advantage after an Abigail Shoff pull-up jumper with just 1:21 left on the clock.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 23 seconds. With Santa Clara trailing by two, the Broncos’ defense forced a pivotal turnover. Maia Jones stole the ball from Saint Mary’s guard Malia Latu near midcourt with nine seconds remaining. Jones was immediately fouled and calmly sank both free throws to put Santa Clara ahead 64-63.

On the ensuing possession, Saint Mary’s designed a play for Shoff, but Jones swatted her layup attempt out of bounds with 2.5 seconds left. The Gaels’ inbounds pass was deflected and stolen by Santa Clara’s Ava Schmidt, who was fouled. Schmidt made both free throws to ice the game, sealing the five-point road victory for the Broncos.

Jones, a guard from Tasman, New Zealand, led Santa Clara with 17 points, including the two decisive free throws, and added a critical block in the final seconds. Schmidt, from Sammamish, Washington, also scored 17 points and provided key defensive plays. Hawkins contributed 13 points for the Broncos.

Saint Mary’s was led by Hunter’s 15 points and Shoff’s 14. Latu finished with 10 points and a game-high four assists for the Gaels.

Statistically, the game was a contrast in styles. Saint Mary’s dominated inside, outscoring Santa Clara 36-26 in the paint. However, Santa Clara’s perimeter shooting proved to be the difference, as they made nine three-pointers to Saint Mary’s three. The Broncos also were more efficient from the free-throw line, making 11 of 15 attempts compared to the Gaels’ 6 of 7.

The win allowed Santa Clara to bounce back from a home loss to Portland just two days prior and maintain its position near the top of the WCC standings. For Saint Mary’s, it was another narrow defeat in a season filled with close games, having also lost in overtime to Washington State earlier in the week.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Santa Clara on Thursday, Feb. 19.