Web extra: Men's basketball beats Holy Names in season opener

By Alicia Mooty

The men's basketball team opened their season Tuesday night against Holy Names Hawks, an NAIA school, with a convincing 83-51 win.

Mitch Henke led the Broncos with 11 points and 11 rebounds. However it was the Broncos defense that shined Tuesday, as they forced 19 turnovers and made the Hawks shoot 33 percent from the field. The Broncos also out-rebounded the Hawks 49-22.

The Broncos won the tip, which resulted in a Calvin Johnson three-pointer, and the Broncos never looked back. Santa Clara pressured the Hawks into forcing bad shots, and used an early 22-2 run, closed out by Danny Pariseau's two free throws, to put them ahead 39-9 with more than 14 minutes left in the first half.

Seven-foot transfer Josh Higgins closed out the Broncos' first half with a last second put back, putting them firmly ahead 49-28 at the buzzer.

After another large run, this one 16-2, the game was out of reach for Holy Names.

Marshall Hartman led Holy Names in scoring as he netted 14.

The Broncos will face the Utah Utes on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.