In a high-stakes West Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinal held in Las Vegas on March 8, 2026, the Santa Clara Broncos once again proved their mettle by dispatching the Pacific Tigers 76-68. The Broncos, entering the contest as the third seed with a formidable 24-7 overall record and 15-3 in WCC play, were widely favored by bookmakers and analysts alike. Pacific, the sixth seed, had just snapped a four-game losing streak with a gritty 61-58 win over Seattle the previous night, but couldn’t muster enough to overcome Santa Clara’s relentless attack.
Santa Clara’s victory was fueled by a stellar bench performance from Allen Graves, who poured in 19 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting, including three triples and a perfect 2-for-2 from the charity stripe. Graves’ hot hand was evident from the outset, as he buried all five of his first-half shots—two of them from beyond the arc—to help the Broncos seize a 45-38 advantage at the break. "Graves buried all five of his first-half shots, including two 3-pointers, to guide Santa Clara to a 45-38 advantage at halftime," according to AP News.
The Tigers, led by sharpshooter Elias Ralph, didn’t go quietly. Ralph kept Pacific within striking distance, torching the Broncos for 25 points and sinking five three-pointers. Jaden Clayton played a strong supporting role with 12 points and nine assists. But as the second half unfolded, Santa Clara’s depth and offensive firepower took over.
Christian Hammond, Santa Clara’s leading scorer on the season, chipped in 14 points, while Elijah Mahi delivered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Reserve Sash Gavalyugov provided a spark off the bench as well, tallying 11 points and six assists. The Broncos’ balanced attack and ability to share the basketball—five players average between 2.4 and 3.0 assists—proved too much for the Tigers to handle.
Santa Clara’s offensive prowess was on full display. The Broncos entered the game ranked 22nd in offensive efficiency nationally and played at the 45th-fastest tempo, emphasizing pace and spacing under head coach Herb Sendek. They bombed away from deep, with 44% of their shots coming from beyond the arc and connecting at a 34% clip. Christian Hammond, a twitchy 6-foot-4 guard, drew plenty of defensive attention, while Mahi’s size and playmaking ability created mismatches all night.
On the defensive end, Santa Clara isn’t known for being elite, but they make up for it with aggression. The Broncos generate steals on 20% of possessions, and Allen Graves, recently named WCC Freshman of the Year, has established himself as a defensive menace capable of guarding multiple positions. However, the Broncos’ penchant for gambling can leave them vulnerable at the rim, as they allow opponents to shoot 53% on two-point attempts.
Pacific, meanwhile, tried to slow the tempo and lean on its defensive-first identity. The Tigers, coached by Dave Smart—a proven winner from his days at Carleton in Canada—ranked 94th in defensive efficiency and held teams to 48.5% shooting on twos. But their Achilles’ heel all season has been turnovers, coughing the ball up on about 20% of possessions. In their two regular-season meetings with Santa Clara, Pacific turned it over 21 and 17 times, which the Broncos converted into crucial points.
This trend continued in the quarterfinal, as Pacific’s inability to take care of the ball and reliance on just two double-digit scorers—Ralph and TJ Wainwright—ultimately doomed their upset bid. Wainwright, who averages 13.2 points and shoots nearly 39% from three, was limited by Santa Clara’s perimeter defense. Pacific’s best hope lay in dominating the offensive glass, with a robust 34% offensive rebound rate, but even second-chance opportunities couldn’t offset the Broncos’ offensive onslaught.
The Tigers’ season-long struggles with turnovers and limited scoring depth were magnified by the fatigue of playing back-to-back nights. As predicted by analysts before the game, “Expect tired legs to be a factor for Pacific and for more of the same to occur tonight.” Santa Clara, fresh and motivated with their NCAA Tournament hopes on the line, took full advantage.
After a competitive first half, the Broncos ripped off a decisive 12-0 run early in the second, highlighted by another triple from Graves, to stretch their lead to 62-48 with 14 minutes to play. Pacific never got closer than eight points the rest of the way. The Tigers’ defensive grit kept the score respectable, but they simply couldn’t keep pace with Santa Clara’s high-octane offense down the stretch.
“It was the high-powered offense of Santa Clara that won out in both regular-season matchups by a combined score of 156-125,” noted DraftKings Sportsbook in their pregame analysis. That trend held true in the tournament, despite Pacific’s best efforts to control the tempo and limit possessions. Santa Clara’s victory also marked their third win over Pacific this season, having previously taken the regular-season contests 85-69 and 71-56.
With the win, Santa Clara improved to 25-7 and advanced to face No. 2 seed Saint Mary’s in the WCC semifinals scheduled for Monday, March 9. The Broncos remain firmly in the NCAA Tournament conversation, and their balanced attack, deep roster, and ability to win in multiple ways make them a dangerous opponent for anyone in the bracket.
Pacific, finishing the season at 18-15, can hold their heads high after a campaign that saw them snap a late losing streak and notch a gutsy tournament win over Seattle. Elias Ralph’s 25-point outburst was a fitting capstone to a strong individual season, and the Tigers’ defensive foundation under Dave Smart gives them a platform to build on for next year.
As the WCC Tournament rolls on in Las Vegas, all eyes will be on Santa Clara as they look to keep their NCAA dreams alive against a tough Saint Mary’s squad. For the Broncos, this win was more than just another notch in the victory column—it was a statement that they belong among the conference elite and are ready for the bright lights of March.