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St. Mary's Fends Off Santa Clara

Simpson makes clutch free throws to lock up 54-50 victory

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 12, 2008 4:58 AM CST

(Newser) – The 8-1 St. Mary's Gaels, riding their best start in team history, beat Santa Clara 54-50 last night for a fourth straight victory. Diamon Simpson, a 61% career free-throw shooter, made two clutch shots to break a tie in the game's final minute, and Tron Smith sank two more for good measure, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Smith went 4-for-5 for 15 points, with Simpson bringing in 12 for the Gaels. The 21st-ranked team struggled for much of the game, but capitalized on 18 Bronco turnovers and put together some effective teamwork. Santa Clara mainly let John Bryant do the scoring, but his 21 points and 12 rebounds weren't enough on their own to effect a Broncos upset.

St. Mary's Patty Mills (13) shoots past Santa Clara's Brody Angley, left, and Cedric Latimer in the first half of a college basketball game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Marcio... (Associated Press)

Santa Clara's Mitch Henke, bottom left, battles for a loose ball against St. Mary's Ian O'Leary (4) as Santa Clara's Ben Dowdell (10) and John Bryant , right, look on in the first half of a college basketball... (Associated Press)

St. Mary's Diamon Simpson, left, is defended by Santa Clara's John Bryant in the second half of a college basketball game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. St. Mary's won 54-50. (AP Photo/Marcio... (Associated Press)

St. Mary's Tron Smith (23) dribbles around Santa Clara's Mitch Henke (21) in the first half of a college basketball game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Feb. 11, 2008.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Associated Press)

St. Mary's Omar Samhan, left, shoots past Santa Clara's John Bryant in the second half of a college basketball game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. St. Mary's won 54-50. (AP Photo/Marcio... (Associated Press)

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St. Mary's Fends Off Santa Clara

Simpson makes clutch free throws to lock up 54-50 victory

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St. Mary's Fends Off Santa Clara

Simpson makes clutch free throws to lock up 54-50 victory

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

NCAA basketball • WCC • St. Mary's Gaels • Santa Clara Broncos

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Zags Headed to WCC Finals

Gonzaga sweeps Santa Clara out of the way in 52-48 win

Kansas State Can't Topple the Jayhawks Again

Xavier fends off George Washington, St. Mary's loses to Gonzaga again

Arizona Upsets Washington State 65-55

Determined Kent State hands No. 19 St. Mary's first home loss 65-57

St. Mary's Stays Perfect at Home

Gaels hit 20 wins with victory over San Francisco

S. Illinois Upsets No. 24 St. Mary's 71-56

Mullins has career game as Salukis snap losing streak

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