SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Interstat) — In a grinding West Coast Conference defensive battle, the Santa Clara Broncos used a decisive third-quarter run and clutch late-game execution to secure a 63-55 victory over the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Thursday night at a sparsely attended Leavey Center.

The win improved Santa Clara’s record to 21-7 overall, while Saint Mary’s fell to 15-13. The game, witnessed by 1,178 fans, was a rematch of a January contest also won by the Broncos by a nearly identical five-point margin.

The contest was characterized by physical play and offensive struggles for long stretches. Saint Mary’s, the visiting team, managed only 25 points in the first half, trailing 31-25 at the break. The Gaels found a rhythm in the third quarter, erupting for 20 points, but could never fully close the gap as Santa Clara answered with 19 of its own to maintain control.

The most critical sequence of the game occurred late in the third quarter. After Saint Mary’s had cut what was once a 13-point deficit down to just two points at 43-41 following a jump shot by Abigail Shoff, Santa Clara responded with a 7-0 burst to end the period. The run was capped by a Delainey Miller layup just before the buzzer, pushing the Broncos’ lead back to 50-43 and sapping the Gaels’ building momentum heading into the final frame.

Santa Clara’s balance proved key. Maia Jones, a guard from Tasman, New Zealand, anchored the defense with five blocks and added 10 points. Forward Ava Schmidt of Sammamish, Washington, and guard Delainey Miller of Aurora, Colorado, each scored 14 points. The Broncos’ offensive engine was guard Ashley Hawkins, who dished out seven assists to go with 11 points, consistently breaking down the Saint Mary’s defense.

The Gaels were led by Abigail Shoff of Redding, California, who scored a team-high 14 points. Guard Malia Latu of East Palo Alto added 12 points. However, Saint Mary’s was plagued by 21 turnovers, which Santa Clara converted into 19 points. The Broncos also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Gaels 32-20.

Saint Mary’s made one final push in the fourth quarter, closing to within 55-53 on an Edie Clarke layup with 8:07 remaining. But Santa Clara answered immediately with a Miller three-pointer, assisted by Hawkins, to spark a 6-0 response that effectively sealed the game. The Gaels would get no closer than six points the rest of the way, as the Broncos made critical defensive stops and hit key free throws in the final minute.

Santa Clara’s victory was its second this season over Saint Mary’s, having also won 68-63 in Moraga on Jan. 17. The Broncos, who entered the game with an 88.8% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, have now won three of their last four games.

Saint Mary’s, which had won two of its last three coming in, continues its road trip at Gonzaga on Feb. 26. Santa Clara heads to Pepperdine on Saturday.