USF women use strong start to remain hot, top Pepperdine

Ioanna Krimili scored 25 points, Claudia Langarita added 20 and Kennedy Dickie had 13 points and 13 rebounds as host USF beat Pepperdine 78-57 on Saturday for its sixth win in seven games.

The Dons (12-11, 6-5 WCC) jumped to a 12-point lead in the first quarter and pushed the lead to 17 at halftime. The Waves (7-10, 3-5) were unable to get their deficit below 11 in the second half.

“Claudia and Kennedy stepped up on the offensive end of the floor tonight when we National roundup: No. 7 Arizona men top No. 19 USC. Story at sfchronicle.com/sports

needed them,” USF coach Molly Goodenbour said. “Another great team effort.”

Ally Stedman scored 17 points to lead Pepperdine, which had won two in a row.

St. Mary’s 96, Pacific 80: Ali Bamberger scored 17 points to lead five Gaels in double figures as St. Mary’s (11-10, 5-5 WCC) beat the host Tigers (5-15, 2-7).

Tayla Dalton added 15 points,

Jade Kirisome had 14, Aspen Garrison 11 and Madeline Holland 10 for the Gaels.

Santa Clara 89, San Diego 84: Merle Wiehl scored 29 points and Lindsey VanAllen added 28 as the host Broncos (11-9, 5-5 WCC) topped the Toreros (10-12, 2-8).

Santa Clara carried a fivepoint lead in the fourth quarter, then held on in part because the Broncos were 11-for-12 from the foul line in the period.

Men

Santa Clara 79, San Diego 66: Jalen Williams scored 19 points

and Josip Vrankic had 18 as the Broncos (16-8, 6-3 WCC) topped the host Toreros (13-11, 6-5).

Santa Clara, which built a 48-29 halftime lead, saw San Diego close within 10 after intermission but kept the Toreros at bay.

“It was a great road victory for the Broncos,” Santa Clara coach Herb Sendek said. “Obviously the first half was really good for us. But you’ve got to give San Diego credit. They kept punching and made a comeback.

“But our guys eventually regrouped and held on to win.”

USF 74, Portland 71: Josh Kunen’s layup with 27 seconds remaining broke a tie and Gabe Stefanini added two free throws with three seconds remaining ats the visiting Dons (18-5, 5-3 WCC) won their third in a row.

Yauhen Massalski had 22 points and 12 rebounds and Jamaree Bouyea scored 21 points to pace USF.

Chris Austin scored 25 points for the Pilots (11-11, 2-5).

Boise State 76, San Jose State 60: Tyson Degenhart scored 23 points and Abu Kigab added 14 points and 11 rebounds as the host Broncos (18-5, 9-1 Mountain West) beat the Spartans (7-15, 0-10).

Myron Amey had 24 points and eight rebounds in San Jose State’s 10th straight loss.

“It was tough,” Spartans coach Tim Miles said. “We started the roster in August with 15 guys. After for a variety of reasons ... we’re down nine guys. But what a great thing for the players who are playing right now. When there’s seven guys, you know you’re going to get playing time. We’ve just go to get everybody on the same page.”