Santa Clara women's basketball's season ended with a narrow 72-68 loss to Cal in the first round of the WBIT. The Broncos (24-10) led after three quarters but faltered late, allowing the Bears (20-14) to clinch the victory with a crucial fourth-quarter run. Key moments included Santa Clara's impressive third quarter where they outscored Cal 26-13 and held a six-point lead heading into the final period.

By the Numbers
  • Santa Clara shot 39.4% (26-for-66) from the field and 4-of-21 from 3-point range.
  • Cal ended shooting 34.7% (26-for-75) overall, hitting just 5-of-29 from beyond the arc.
  • Lulu Twiddle from Cal scored 27 points, leading all scorers.
State of Play
  • Santa Clara's season concludes with multiple program records: 2,728 points, 80.2 points per game, and 953 field goals made.
  • Ashley Hawkins recorded 209 assists this season, ranking second in program history.
  • Ava Schmidt tied for second overall in blocks for a single season with 73.
What's Next

The Broncos will need to regroup in the offseason to build on their record-setting achievements and address areas for improvement, especially their 3-point shooting percentage. Returnees will be crucial to developing team cohesion and maintaining competitive momentum for the next season.

Bottom Line

Despite the disappointing end, Santa Clara's record-breaking season highlights their offensive potential and sets a solid foundation for future success. Key players will be pivotal in harnessing this momentum to achieve deeper tournament runs in subsequent years.