Debesh Das Sharma

Junior forward Aidan Liu dribbles past Santa Clara defenders.

Led by 17 points from senior Cole Sheehy and 13 from junior Anson Hulme, the Falcons blew out the Santa Clara Bruins 61-36 last Friday at home.

The victory puts the team’s league record at 4-1, tied for first with Fremont. The team won 57-40 against MacDonald on Jan. 13. On Jan. 9, they fell to Lynbrook 71-57 at home. 

The Falcons’ starting five are Sheehy and senior Alex Sinton at guard, junior forward Aidan Liu, senior forward Rian Khetani, and Hulme at center. 

After winning the tip-off, the Falcons got off to a hot start with a 3-pointer and mid-range shot from Sinton, giving the Falcons a 5-2 lead. As the Bruins failed to gain momentum and convert on their next possessions, a layup and free throw from Hulme and a 3-pointer from Sheehy extended the lead to 11-2. The Falcons closed the first quarter with a 3-pointer from Liu and two consecutive 3s from Sheehy to take a 20-6 lead.

Going into the second quarter, Hulme picked up his second foul; coach Mike Davey decided to rest Hulme for a few possessions. Both teams traded free throws and 3-pointers — Sheehy’s fourth — bringing the score to 25-11. The Bruins went on a 8-2 run, shortening the Falcons’ lead to 27-19. After three fouls by the Bruins, the Falcons rounded out the half with five made free throws and a mid-range shot from junior guard Aidan Chung to end the half leading 34-19.  

In the third quarter, the Falcons kept their momentum going with 2-pointers from both Hulme and Sinton. The Bruins were called for a technical foul; Sheehy added a free throw to the Falcons’ score. On the following inbound, Hulme put up a heavily contested layup to put the Falcons up 41-19. On the following play, Hulme drew a foul and hit both free throws. 

The next possession, the Bruins were called for another technical foul by the same player, resulting in the player’s ejection. The crowd erupted after Hulme recorded a huge block on a contested jump shot. Sheehy converted another free throw, bringing the score to 44-21. After Khetani swished a pair of free throws, the Falcons and Bruins traded multiple scores, closing out the third quarter with the Falcons leading 50-25.

Entering the fourth with a comfortable 25-point lead, coach Davey decided to still play the Falcons’ starters. A foul by Liu sent Santa Clara to the line where they converted on both free throws. The Falcons responded with four unanswered shots from Sheehy, Liu, Hulme and Khetani, putting the team up 58-27. 

At this point, Davey decided to bench the starters and the Falcons closed out the game with a statement 61-36 victory.

In their last home game against Lynbrook on Jan. 9, the team had  a 71-57 loss. To bounce back, the team’s effort during practices throughout the week was evident.

“The main two things Davey was looking for us to improve after the Lynbrook game were our communication and playing harder than the other team,” Sinton said. “I think we executed on both of those principles in this game.”

The Falcons hope to extend their two-game win streak. They travel to Gunn on Jan. 20 and face Fremont at home on Jan. 23.