Final
  for this game

No. 24 Gonzaga tops Santa Clara to open WCC play

Dec 29, 2013 - 4:08 AM Spokane, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - David Stockton netted 21 points to lead No. 24 Gonzaga to a 74-60 win over Santa Clara on Saturday.

Kevin Pangos scored 17 and Przemek Karnowski added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Bulldogs (11-2, 1-0 WCC), who have won seven of their last eight.

Brandon Clark scored a game-high 22 points for Santa Clara (7-7, 0-1), which has lost two of its last three. Jared Brownridge and Evan Roquemore added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The game was tied 38-38 just under four minutes into the second half before the Bulldogs ripped off eight straight points.

A Jalen Richard free throw pulled Santa Clara within 53-50 with 8:14 to play, but Gonzaga answered with a 10-0 run to create some separation.

Santa Clara failed to get closer than nine the rest of the way.

The first half was a very competitive, back-and-forth 20 minutes. Gonzaga scored the first four before the Broncos netted the next seven points. The Bulldogs then put six straight through the twine.

Santa Clara scored eight straight starting with a Clark trey with 11:37 left in the half to grab a 17-13 lead just before the midpoint of the half.

The teams traded baskets until there was 3:28 left in the first and Gonzaga went on a 9-0 surge to close out the half. The Bulldogs led 31-26 at the break.

Game Notes

Gonzaga won its 21st consecutive WCC home game ... The Bulldogs lead the all- time series with Santa Clara, 50-30 ... Gonzaga went 23-of-31 from the free throw line, while the Broncos went 6-for-12 from the charity stripe ... The Bulldogs face the University of San Francisco on Monday ... Santa Clara faces off against Portland on Monday.