SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brandon Clark scored 23 points, and Santa Clara held off a second-half San Jose State rally to defeat the Spartans 89-77 Tuesday night.
Trailing 73-53 with 7:18 left in the game, the Spartans (0-1) closed to within eight points, 77-69, with 2:08 left. But Clark, who was 11 of 14 from the line, made six free throws and a basket in the final minute, and Denzel Johnson added a pair of layups to preserve the win.
Jerry Brown, a graduate transfer from Fresno State, scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Jared Brownridge added 15 points and Johnson 11. Yannick Atanga also had 10 rebounds.
The Broncos had led by as many as 19 points in the first half.
Jaleel Williams scored a career-high 20 points for SJSU. Rashad Muhammad added 15 and Chris Cunningham 12.
Santa Clara has won 10 of the last 12 games against SJSU.
