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BYU Women’s Basketball recorded their seventh straight win on Saturday with a 69-59 loss to Santa Clara.

“Thanks to Santa Clara. They came here, worked and played really well together. They’re hard guards,” BYU head coach Amber Whiting said. “We should learn from this loss and get back to work on Monday.”

BYU looked hopeful, trailing 20-16 after the first quarter and beating Santa Clara 20-15 in the second quarter, but it was the best for the Cougars. It worked in favor of BYU coming back from time, but it quickly turned around as the Broncos drew a 14-0 run.

The third quarter foreshadowed the demise of BYU as the Cougars were stuck eight minutes short of scoring, paving the way for Santa Clara’s win.

Nani Faratea led both teams with 20 points, and Kayleigh Smiler added another 13 points.

Lauren Gustin had her 19th double-double of the season, but even her 14 points and 15 rebounds and efforts from Smiler and Faratea couldn’t get the Cougars back in the game.

BYU scored just 31% of the goals in the 4th quarter to give Santa Clara the win.

Whiting said, “Now that we are losing, we can refocus to move forward.

The Cougars are on tour next Thursday to play at St. Mary’s.