HONOLULU (Interstat) — In a showcase of offensive efficiency and interior dominance, the Santa Clara Broncos pulled away from the Lindenwood Lions for an 84-70 victory in the American Savings Bank Rainbow Wahine Showdown on Friday.

The non-conference women’s basketball game, played before a crowd of 103 at a neutral site, saw the Broncos methodically build their lead through a powerful third quarter and withstand a late surge from the Lions.

Santa Clara improved its season record to 6-2, while Lindenwood moved to 4-2.

The contest was a tale of two contrasting offensive approaches. While both teams had an identical 75 possessions, Santa Clara’s superior shooting and work on the glass proved decisive. The Broncos shot 45.8 percent from the floor, connecting on 33 of 72 attempts, and were a near-perfect 10 for 11 from the free-throw line. Lindenwood, meanwhile, struggled with its efficiency, making 22 of 62 shots for a 35.5 percent clip, though they found success from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 25 three-point attempts.

The Broncos also controlled the paint, outrebounding the Lions 12-6 on the offensive glass, which led to numerous second-chance opportunities. Santa Clara also recorded five blocked shots to Lindenwood’s two.

The game remained tightly contested through the first half. Lindenwood’s Aleshia Jones, a 5-foot-7 guard from Leavenworth, Kan., was electric early, scoring 11 of her game-high 25 points in the first quarter to help the Lions keep pace. The first quarter ended with Santa Clara holding a narrow 20-16 advantage.

The Broncos began to create separation in the second quarter, but Lindenwood’s persistent outside shooting, including a trio of three-pointers, kept them within striking distance. The Lions trailed 39-34 at the intermission.

The third quarter belonged to Santa Clara, as they delivered the decisive blow. The Broncos erupted for 24 points in the period, stifling the Lindenwood offense and holding them to just 13. The run was fueled by the inside-outside combination of Sophie Glancey and Ashley Hawkins. Glancey, a 6-foot-2 forward from Boise, Idaho, was a force in the paint, scoring eight of her team-high 24 points in the quarter. Hawkins, a 5-6 guard from Long Beach, Calif., orchestrated the offense and chipped in with timely baskets, finishing with 10 points and a game-high five assists.

Entering the fourth quarter with a 63-47 lead, Santa Clara appeared to be cruising to victory. However, the Lions mounted a furious comeback attempt. Jones caught fire once again, scoring 12 points in the final period as Lindenwood poured in 23 points. The Lions managed to cut the deficit to single digits late in the game, but the Broncos’ lead proved insurmountable. Santa Clara’s offense remained steady, scoring 21 points in the quarter to seal the win.

Jones’s 25-point performance for Lindenwood was complemented by 11 points and eight rebounds from Brooke Coffey, a 6-1 forward from St. Charles, Mo. Gracy Wernli, a 5-9 guard from Bixby, Okla., added eight points and three assists.

For Santa Clara, Glancey’s 24-point, six-rebound effort was supported by a dominant rebounding performance from Ava Schmidt. The 5-10 forward from Sammamish, Wash., pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds to go with nine points and three blocks. Aniya Hooker, a 5-8 guard from Lynnwood, Wash., provided a significant spark off the bench with 12 points and four rebounds. Tyler Gildersleeve-Stiles, a 6-1 forward from Snohomish, Wash., also contributed eight points and seven rebounds in just 12 minutes of action.

The game was part of a multi-team event in Honolulu. Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Lindenwood scheduled to face host Hawaii and Santa Clara set to take on Vermont.