After leading 32-24 at halftime, the Bellarmine Bells showed no mercy against Santa Clara in the second half, dominating the Bruins for a 72-39 runaway victory. With the win, the Bells advance to the CCS Division I semifinals on Wednesday at Independence, where they will take on fifth-seeded Salinas (21-5), a 73-62 winner over Santa Teresa.
With a tweaked ankle, Bellarmine captain Griffin Goudreau sat most of the second half, but big men Jack Fordyce and Jack O’Hara stepped up and solidified the interior with four rebounds each in the third quarter to trigger a 12-2 Bellarmine. That extended the Bells' lead to 20 with 1:22 left in the third quarter. While the big men used their size, guard Nick McCue used his scoring touch to tally 21 points, including two end-of-quarter buzzer beaters. All players on the roster logged playing, including three sophomores who got their first varsity action.
The Bruins were held 23 points below their season average of 62 points per game. They finish the season at 20-5.
