Oregon State Women’s Basketball: Opponent Preview - Santa Clara

The #8 Oregon State Beavers Women’s basketball team takes on the Santa Clara Broncos in game eight of the season. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 PM PST on Sunday, December 9th. You can watch the game on the Oregon State live stream (click on the link next to the game on the schedule), or check out the team’s Twitter page to follow along live. Let’s take a closer look at the Broncos.

Santa Clara (5-2 overall, 0-0 conference)

Last season: 9-21 overall, 5-13 in WCC (T-8th), no postseason

The Santa Clara Broncos come into Gill already much improved from a year ago. Their record at this point is an inverse of last year where they had started out 2-5. After starting out the gate with three straight wins, they ran into Southern Cal and were dealt a 31 point loss. They quickly rebounded with a couple of four point wins over Cal State Fullerton and Missouri State. Their second loss came in their last game against Cal State Northridge where they shot an abysmal 24.6%.

Broncos fans are hoping that Head Coach Bill Carr will have this team back to where it was a few years ago with a 23 win season and a visit to the WNIT. Carr took over the program the next year after former head coach, RJ Payne, turned the team around and took the head gig at Colorado.

Who to watch

#11 - Tia Hay, Junior Guard

The Aussie, Hay, joins the Broncos after spending the last two years at Salt Lake Community College (sound familiar Beaver fans? GPII went there before finishing his collegiate career at Oregon State). She has made an immediate impact as a Bronco, scoring at least 20 points in three games to start the year.

#20 - Lauren Yearwood, Junior Forward

The former Oregon Duck (must have come to her senses) made her Santa Clara debut this year after sitting out last year due to transfer rules. The 6’4’’ Canadian leads the Broncos in rebounds per game (7.4).

#25 - Emily Wolph, Junior Guard

The 5’5’’ Wolph is still getting back up to speed after sitting out her second season due to injury, but she could break out at any moment. She is second on the team in both points per game (9.3) and assists per game (2.4).

Prediction

While Santa Clara certainly looks like they’ll improve on their 9-21 record from last year, they will still be no match for Oregon State. The guards for the Beavers will have a heyday defending the smaller star duo of Wolph (5’5’’) and Hay (5’7’’). Beavers buck the Broncos.