SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In a game that featured 12 lead changes, including four in the final period, it was Santa Clara that benefited from the final one on the way to a 77-73 victory against Missouri State inside the Leavey Center.
The Lady Bears (1-3) shot 45 percent in the game and dished out 24 assists, their most in a game since March 2015. Danielle Gitzen had a career-high nine helpers, the most for any Lady Bear since Casey Garrison had 10 in a January 2012 contest. Santa Clara (5-1) shot 50 percent and buried 10 3-pointers, equaling the combined total of Missouri State’s first three opponents this season.
The Broncos hit MSU with an early barrage from long range, going 5-for-8 in the first quarter for a 25-21 lead. SCU pushed the lead to double figures at 34-23 with 7:32 left until halftime, and Gitzen had a steal and score with 2:13 remaining for a 40-36 deficit before the Broncos added one to the margin for a 44-39 lead at the break.
The Lady Bears opened the second half on a 6-0 run, leading 45-44 on Brice Calip’s steal and layup with 7:32 on the clock, but Santa Clara countered yet again for a 54-47 lead three minutes later.
Abby Hipp scored with 10 seconds left in the third period to put MSU back on top 58-57, and Calip’s free throw capped a 7-0 Lady Bears run at 67-64 with exactly five minutes remaining for their largest lead of the game. Calip scored with 3:33 left for a 71-69 lead, but the Lady Bears were unable to find the bottom of the net again until Shameka Ealy scored two of her 15 points for a 74-73 deficit and 22 seconds to play.
Missouri State regained possession down 75-73 with 19 seconds left, but missed a 3-pointer for the win, which the Broncos rebounded and turned into a pair of free throws to seal it.
Calip finished with 11 points, three assists, three steals and two blocks, and Alexa Willard chipped in 10 points. Jasmine Franklin grabbed six rebounds to help MSU lead 33-32 in that category, and recorded four blocks in 20 minutes. Missouri State swiped 10 steals and committed 13 turnovers.
MSU returns to action next Saturday with a 3 p.m. game at North Texas.
