Santa Clara hosts BYU after Vrankic's 22-point game

Published Jan. 26, 2022 2:42 a.m. ET

Associated Press

BYU Cougars (17-4, 5-1 WCC) at Santa Clara Broncos (12-7, 2-2 WCC)

Santa Clara, California; Thursday, 11 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Santa Clara faces the BYU Cougars after Josip Vrankic scored 22 points in Santa Clara's 78-74 overtime win against the San Diego Toreros.

The Broncos have gone 9-3 at home. Santa Clara is 0-1 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Cougars are 5-1 in conference play. BYU averages 74.0 points while outscoring opponents by 8.9 points per game.

The matchup Thursday is the first meeting this season between the two teams in conference play.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Williams is shooting 51.0% and averaging 18.3 points for the Broncos. Keshawn Justice is averaging 9.8 points over the last 10 games for Santa Clara.

Alex Barcello averages 2.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Cougars, scoring 16.7 points while shooting 46.4% from beyond the arc. Fousseyni Traore is averaging 7.2 points and 6.7 rebounds over the past 10 games for BYU.

LAST 10 GAMES: Broncos: 6-4, averaging 75.6 points, 31.9 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 74.0 points per game.

Cougars: 8-2, averaging 72.7 points, 36.6 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 5.1 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.3 points.

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