SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Henry Caruso made the game-saving steal, Matt Hauser matched a career high with 22 points and Santa Clara beat Portland 70-68 on Saturday night.
Portland had the ball and was trailing 69-68 with less than five seconds to go when Caruso stepped into the lane and picked off JoJo Walker’s pass as Walker tried to drive and dish to Josh McSwiggan. The Pilots fouled Caruso with 1.3 seconds left, he made one of two at the foul line and the Pilots missed a desperation heave at the buzzer.
Josip Vrankic scored 14 of his career-high 19 points in the second half to help the Broncos (6-10, 3-1 West Coast Conference) hand the Pilots (6-11, 0-4) their fourth straight loss. Caruso finished with seven points and 10 boards and KJ Feagin chipped in 10 points.
McSwiggan had 17 points, Tahirou Diabate added 15 points and 10 boards and Marcus Shaver Jr. scored 13 for Portland.
