Gaels give Broncos boot, again

Santa Clara’s season ended in familiar fashion.

For the fourth time in five seasons, the Broncos were ousted from the WCC men’s tournament by Bay Area rival Saint Mary’s. The third-seeded Gaels recovered from a game-tying 3-pointer by Santa Clara’s Joey Kaempf in the closing seconds of regulation to post a 76-72 victory in overtime late Saturday night at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

The victory propels the Gaels (17-11) into tonight’s semifinals against No. 2 Loyola Marymount. That game will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 5 San Diego, which tips at 5 p.m.

Sixth-seeded Santa Clara (13-16) lost all three games to Saint Mary’s this season.

Saint Mary’s appeared to be in control with a 60-53 lead with 1:45 remaining. Kaempf, who came in averaging 3.7 points per game, hit three 3s in the last 90 seconds. He retrieved a missed shot in the left corner and hit a fadeaway to even the score at 62.

Brody Angley’s bank shot gave the Broncos a 64-62 lead, but John Winston’s 3-pointer put the Gaels in front for good. Daniel Kickert, who was held to a season-low five points, 12 below his average, scored inside to bump Saint Mary’s lead to five.

Santa Clara had one last run, pulling within 69-67, but the Gaels made 7 of 10 free throws to clinch their seventh straight win.

Diamon Simpson led Saint Mary’s with 20 points.

“They always do a good job on Daniel,” Gaels coach Randy Bennett said. “Some other guys had to step up.”

Kaempf, a walk-on who has been bothered by a back injury, made six 3s and scored 21.

Saint Mary’s 76, Santa Clara 72 (OT)

Santa Clara (14-15) – Henke 1-4 1-1 3, Niesen 3-12 5-9 11, Denison 2-5 3-5 7, Angley 6-14 4-6 18, Johnson 1-3 0-0 3, Rohe 2-5 0-0 5, Kaempf 7-11 1-2 21, Daniel 0-0 0-0 0, Bryant 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 24-57 14-23 72.

Saint Mary’s (16-11) – O’Leary 1-6 0-0 2, Kickert 2-9 0-2 5, Sholberg 1-1 0-0 2, Golden 5-9 0-0 13, Winston 5-10 5-8 18, Hunter 0-2 1-2 1, Simpson 6-9 8-10 20, Collins 5-8 5-9 15. Totals 25-54 19-31 76.

Halftime–Santa Clara 31, Saint Mary’s 29. 3-point goals–Santa Clara 10-21 (Kaempf 6-9, Angley 2-5, Rohe 1-2, Johnson 1-3, Henke 0-1, Niesen 0-1), Saint Mary’s 7-21 (Golden 3-6, Winston 3-7, Kickert 1-4, Simpson 0-1, Collins 0-1, O’Leary 0-2). Fouled out–Henke, Niesen, O’Leary. Rebounds–Santa Clara 44 (Henke 9), Saint Mary’s 29 (Simpson 11). Assists–Santa Clara 12 (Henke 4), Saint Mary’s 15 (Winston 4). Total fouls–Santa Clara 24, Saint Mary’s 21. A–4,185.