SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — Maia Jones scored 25 points to lead Santa Clara to a 77-67 victory over San Francisco in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Broncos used a 21-point first quarter to establish an early lead and maintained control throughout the West Coast Conference contest. Aniya Hooker added 14 points for Santa Clara, which improved to 14-4. San Francisco, which fell to 10-6, was led by Candy Edokpaigbe’s 19 points and Aina Cargol’s 17 points and seven assists. The Dons struggled from beyond the arc, making just 3 of 25 three-point attempts. Santa Clara’s defense forced 18 turnovers and recorded 14 steals. The Broncos shot 20 of 27 from the free-throw line to secure the road win.

SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — Maia Jones scored 25 points and the Santa Clara Broncos used a dominant defensive performance to pull away from the San Francisco Dons 77-67 in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Broncos, who entered the game with a 93.0 offensive rating, improved to 14-4 overall. The Dons fell to 10-6. The most important part of the game was Santa Clara’s ability to consistently generate offense from its defense, particularly in a decisive third-quarter run that broke open a tight contest. Leading 34-33 at halftime, the Broncos opened the second half with increased defensive pressure, converting San Francisco turnovers and missed shots into transition opportunities. This stretch allowed Santa Clara to build a double-digit cushion that San Francisco could never fully overcome, as the Dons struggled mightily with their perimeter shooting all night. San Francisco’s offensive woes were encapsulated by a 3-for-25 performance from three-point range, a frigid 12% clip. The Dons also committed 18 turnovers, which Santa Clara converted into 14 steals and several key baskets in transition. Despite shooting a slightly better percentage from the floor overall (29 of 72 compared to Santa Clara’s 25 of 66), the Dons’ inability to score efficiently from distance or protect the ball proved costly. Jones, a 5-foot-10 guard from Tasman, New Zealand, was the catalyst for Santa Clara. She added a block and a steal in 27 minutes, consistently attacking the rim and drawing fouls, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line in the first half alone. Her backcourt mate, Aniya Hooker, provided crucial support with 14 points, three assists and three steals in 31 minutes. San Francisco was led by Candy Edokpaigbe’s 19 points and Aina Cargol’s 17 points and seven assists. However, Cargol also accounted for seven of her team’s turnovers. The Dons’ starting backcourt of Cargol and Mara Neira combined to shoot just 2 of 14 from three-point territory. The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring six lead changes. San Francisco took an early 9-2 lead behind Edokpaigbe’s interior scoring before Santa Clara responded with an 11-2 run, capped by a three-pointer from Jones, to take a 13-11 advantage. The Dons led 16-14 after one quarter, but the Broncos’ defensive intensity began to take its toll in the second period. Santa Clara forced seven turnovers in the quarter, which helped offset its own 33% shooting from the field, and took a one-point lead into the break. The third quarter belonged to the Broncos. They opened the period with a 7-3 spurt, highlighted by another Jones three-pointer, to force an early San Francisco timeout. The lead ballooned to 11 points after a steal and layup by Ashley Hawkins, who finished with 10 points and four assists. Santa Clara outscored San Francisco 23-20 in the quarter to carry a 57-53 lead into the final frame, with the Dons never getting closer than four points the rest of the way. Santa Clara sealed the victory at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, making 10 of 14 attempts. The Broncos finished 20 of 27 from the stripe, a significant advantage over San Francisco’s 6-of-9 showing. The Broncos also won the battle on the glass, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points, and out-blocked the Dons 5-2. Delainey Miller contributed five points and a block off the bench for Santa Clara. For San Francisco, Paula Tirado scored nine points, while Natasa Tausova added four points, two assists and a block before fouling out in the fourth quarter. The game was played before an announced crowd of 257. Santa Clara’s next game is Saturday at Washington State. San Francisco’s next contest is Jan. 15 at Gonzaga.

SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — A key West Coast Conference women’s basketball clash is set for Thursday when the surging Santa Clara Broncos visit the San Francisco Dons at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Broncos (13-4) enter with momentum, having won six of their last seven games. Their most recent result was a signature 77-73 victory over Gonzaga last Sunday. Santa Clara’s attack is orchestrated by dynamic guard Ashley Hawkins, who is coming off a 16-point, 11-assist performance against the Bulldogs. Over her last seven games, Hawkins has averaged 13.4 points and 7.6 assists, consistently setting up teammates like Sophie Glancey and Kylee Fox, who each scored 17 points in the win over Gonzaga. The Dons (10-5) have won three straight, including an 85-82 overtime road win at Loyola Marymount on Sunday. They are led by guard Aina Cargol, who tallied 17 points and eight assists in that victory. Cargol has been a steady force, scoring in double figures in five of her last six contests. Her backcourt duel with Hawkins will be a central storyline. While Santa Clara boasts the better overall record, San Francisco has defended its home court well this season. The Dons will need to contain a balanced Broncos offense that has scored 77 or more points in four of its last five wins. Thursday’s contest is the conference opener for both teams. The matchup begins a tough stretch for each; Santa Clara visits Washington State on Saturday, while San Francisco travels to face Gonzaga next week. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST at War Memorial Gymnasium in San Francisco.