WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT: Former Zag Mountain hopes tournament run can turn Broncos around

LAS VEGAS – After two seasons finishing 1-13 in the West Coast Conference, the Santa Clara Broncos hope that two upset wins in the conference tournament might carry over into success next year.

Former Gonzaga player and assistant coach Jennifer Mountain is in her second year as head coach of Santa Clara University, and inherited a rebuilding roster that has won two games in the past two conference seasons. Mountain spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach, including seven as Head Coach Kelly Graves' top assistant.

Mountain graduated from Gonzaga in 1991 as a three-time first-team All-West Coast Conference selection. She then worked as an assistant under then Head Coach Julie Holt, helping to recruit the roster that led Gonzaga to its first WNIT appearance in 1994. Mountain also coached boys basketball at St. George's from 1994-2001 before returning to the Bulldogs under Kelly Graves.

After helping Graves turn Gonzaga into a WCC powerhouse and NCAA Tournament contender, Mountain is hoping to do the same for Santa Clara.

And while an 87-47 blowout loss against Gonzaga puts a damper on the end of the season, a more promising storyline has emerged as the Broncos elevated play propelled them past two teams with much higher seedings.

The Broncos, a No. 8 seed in the tournament, first turned heads when they handed No. 5 seed San Diego a 68-67 loss and first round exit. The Torreros finished .500 in conference in the regular season while the Broncos managed only one regular season conference win.

"We've been close so many times in the regular season," Mountain said of the win against San Diego. "For these players to pull out a victory and to do it like that; I'm so proud of them and happy for them."

Junior Lena Gibson had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Santa Clara.

Santa Clara then upset No. 4 seed Portland 74-61, as Gipson had her second stellar game in a row, scoring 23 points and collecting 15 rebounds – three shy of the tournament record.

"Its tournament time," Gipson said after the win against the Pilots. "We really have something to prove and the energy our awesome freshmen class brought was contagious."

The Broncos' Cinderella run was cut short Sunday, however, as No. 17 ranked and No. 1 seed Gonzaga cruised to an 87-47 victory and championship game berth. Gipson fouled out with 15 minutes left, as the Broncos were already trailing, and Gonzaga stretched its lead to 44 with 2:06 left to play. (For more on this game, check out Bulletin Editor Travis Lucian's story, "Bowman, Bulldogs squash Broncos" )

Yet Santa Clara loses just one senior next season, forward Maggie Goldenberger, and returns nearly its entire lineup. Mountain and her players are hoping a taste of what they can do – against San Diego and Portland – and a taste of how far they've got to go – against Gonzaga – can serve as a springboard for a turnaround 2010-11 season.

"It was definitely a confidence builder for us, it proved what we already believed," guard Alyssa Shoji said. "We had so many games this past year where we were right there, you know, last minute, and just couldn't get over the hump. And I think this conference tournament showed other people and showed ourselves that we can actually do that. I think it's a good thing for us to end the season this way."

Graves, who is close with Mountain and saw the Broncos in person three times this season, endorses the up-and-coming team.

"If you look at their scores this year, there were in most of their games," he said. "I think Jennifer's done a good job with that team. I think she's got good leadership because they came here to play and played hard and that's a sign of good leadership."

For Mountain, this tournament was arguably the most important weekend of her young career as Santa Clara's head coach.

"I think it was a pinnacle two days for our future," she said. "We just needed that confidence factor, and to actually go through the process of actually getting a win in a tight situation. You can just see it not only on the basketball court but even in the bus. There's a different feel … and I think it's going to be huge for the future of our team."