So close.
No. 10 Santa Clara bowed out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 89-84, to No. 7 Kentucky in overtime in a game that featured 20 lead changes and a dozen ties.
This season marked the Broncos’ first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 30 years and the first trip to the Dance under head coach Herb Sendek.
“Just incredibly thankful to coach each and every one of the men on our team,” Sendek said. “It was a phenomenal experience. Really proud of their effort, not only today but all season.”
Allen Graves gave Santa Clara a 3-point lead with 2.4 seconds left in regulation, only to have Otega Oweh race up court and bank in a three as time expired to force OT, tied at 73.
But it didn’t come without controversy. Sendek wanted a timeout before the Wildcats inbounded, but it was not awarded.
“I unequivocally called a timeout, but they didn’t grant it,” Sendek said in his postgame press conference. “I think the video evidence is clear. Anybody is able to pull it up. It is a likely response that, after Allen hits a 3, a coach would be calling a timeout to set the defense, which I tried to do and was successful in doing, other than it wasn’t acknowledged or recognized.”
Let’s take a look at that video evidence, shall we?
Sendek clearly runs towards the zebra to signal a timeout before the inbounds. Sendek was a tad late, sure, and as some have pointed out to us on Twitter, he should have signalled towards the baseline ref as opposed to chasing the sideline official.
Thanks to Mid-Major Madness writer Garrett Lash, we are also able to see a slight delay in the start of the game clock. The ever-so-slight delay allowed for enough time that the tiebreaker made by Oweh could have been different.
Things happen, but sadly, it came at a cost to our dear Broncos.
Elijah Mahi led the way for Santa Clara with 20 points. The transfer from West Valley College, a community college 11 miles from Santa Clara’s campus, wrapped up the season ranking second on the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game.
“I’m just proud to be a Bronco,” Mahi said. “I’m proud for what I did here, what we did here and what we were able to do this year. … I really am thankful.”
Graves was the next high on the team with 17 and seven rebounds as four players reached double figures. Sash Gavalyugov followed with 16, and Jake Ensminger added 14.
Santa Clara tied for the most wins in program history and posted its highest win percentage since 1970.
“I’m glad we got what we deserved, coming here, being able to play here in March Madness, the biggest stage,” Allen Graves said. “Obviously, we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, but I wouldn’t change it for the world with these guys. I’m proud to be a Bronco, and I always will be a Bronco.”
