SANTA CLARA, Calif. — South Dakota basketball fell in its nonconference finale Saturday 98-81 to Santa Clara in the Leavey Center.
 
The Coyotes had five players reach double-figure scoring and were led by Kaleb Stewart for the second straight game with 15 points. Isaac Bruns added 13 points and had seven rebounds, while Cameron Fens had 12 points and a team-high eight boards. Paul Bruns scored 11 points and Shey Eberwein tallied his second double-digit scoring game of the season with 11 off the bench.
 
USD had an advantage in points off turnovers (16-8) and second chance points (17-12), but Santa Clara shot at a higher percentage (.527-.429) and connected on double-digit triples (13).
 
The Broncos shot .605 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and were 10-of-20 from deep as they built a 60-39 lead at the break. The Coyotes stayed with the Broncos early, with Isaac Bruns pulling the Yotes within four, 11-7, four minutes into the game. SCU would go ahead by double-digits for the first time in the contest with a 10-2 run over the next minute and a half of play. A 3-pointer and a bucket from Stewart brought the Yotes back within seven, 26-19, but the Broncos would respond with a 14-1 run to take a 46-27 advantage. After a bucket from Forte, SCU connected on its 10th triple of the half at the buzzer to carry a 21-point lead into half.
 
Santa Clara kept their advantage above 20 points for a majority of the second half until there was three minutes remaining. The Yotes scored eight straight, capped off by a Jevon Hill layup, and would pull within 15 of the lead. That was the closest the Yotes would get as SCU closed out the 98-81 win. Eberwein and Isaac Bruns led the Yotes in scoring in the second half with 11 each.
 
The Coyotes will return to action following the holiday break with Summit League play beginning on Thursday, January 2 on the road at Kansas City.
 
Notes

• South Dakota moves to 9-6 on the season and 1-6 on the road
• Five Yotes scored in double-figues led by Kaleb Stewart's 15
• Isaac Bruns has scored in double-figures in 13 of 15 games this season
• Cameron Fens scored 12 points and the Yotes in rebounds (8) and blocked shots (3)
• USD had the edge in points off turnovers (16-8) and second chance points (17-12)
• SCU had more bench points (39-33) and points in the paint (52-46)
• South Dakota held an 18-9 assist-to-turnover ratio, while SCU was 31-13