By Lamar Moody — Reporter
San Jose State women’s basketball (1-3, 0-0 MW) lost 67-58 to the Santa Clara University Broncos (3-0, 0-0 MW) Wednesday night.
The Spartans came into the game looking to get their second win of the season. They were led by senior forward Cydni Lewis and senior guard A’tyanna Gaulden for most of the first half. Lewis had 13 points with Gaulden supported with seven points.
With both teams trading baskets for the majority of the first half, SJSU found itself trailing by two at halftime. The score was 32-30 Santa Clara at the half.
The Broncos had an all- around supporting cast throughout the first half. Redshirt senior forward Merle Wiehl led with 9 points while shooting over 50% from the field. Wiehl would end the game two rebounds shy of a double-double. She was 8-15 from the field with 23 points and 8 rebounds.
San Jose native sophomore guard Ashley Hiraki played lights out for the Broncos. Hiraki played very efficiently, taking what the Spartans defense gave her and she hit the open shots when it mattered most. She was 4-8 from the field with 11 points, 3-6 from behind the arc.
In the second half the Spartans came out playing much way better defense but the Broncos efficiency passing the ball was just way too much for the Spartans. The passing efficiency of the Broncos continuously opened up easy looks at the basket for points.
Lewis looked really good tonight playing with a lot of energy and tenacious defense. Lewis ended the game shooting 6-17 from the field with 24 points, a career high for the Long Beach native. She made her money at the free throw line tonight hitting 10-12 from the line. Gaulden came off the bench with a killer mentality. Gaulden went 5-7 from the field with 15 points along with 2-3 from behind the arc.
SJSU battled hard all four quarters but Santa Clara made too many clutch shots down the stretch to seal up the victory. SJSU looks to snap its two game losing streak when they host University of the Pacific on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Provident Credit Union Event Center.
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