SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -John Bryant scored 14 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead Santa Clara past Sacramento State 51-32 on Saturday night.
Bryant recorded the 30th double-double of his career and sixth of the season as Santa Clara (4-4) won its third consecutive game. He also blocked six shots.
Loren Leath led Sacramento State (1-6) with 10 points. No other Hornet scored in double-figures.
Kevin Foster added 13 points for the Broncos on 5 of 12 shooting. He made 2 of 3 from 3-point range. James Rahon scored 8 points.
The 6-foot-11, 275-pound Bryant nearly had a double-double in the first half when he scored eight points, pulled down eight rebounds and blocked three shots, helping Santa Clara build a 27-14 lead.
Santa Clara, with the towering Bryant defending inside, held Sacramento State to 22.7 percent shooting in the first half and 25.0 percent for the game. The 32 points were the fewest Santa Clara has allowed since beating Loyola Marymount 58-35 last season on Jan. 19, 2008.
Santa Clara quickly extended its lead in the second half. Foster hit a bank shot then drilled a 3-pointer, giving Santa Clara a 34-16 lead with 16:24 left. Later in the half, Foster nailed another 3-point shot, pushing Santa Clara's lead to 42-22 with 10:17 left to play.
Santa Clara remained undefeated in the series, winning for the sixth straight time.
Early in the second half, Santa Clara starting guard Troy Alexander landed hard on his left shoulder as he and Sacramento State's Leath battled for a loose ball. Alexander, a freshman, went to the locker room, in obvious pain.
Alexander suffered a shoulder sprain. He was taken to a hospital for X-rays.
