The Vikings smothered the Bruins with their steady halfcourt defense and held Santa Clara to only 12 field goals in a 61-29 rout. The Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division win helped the Vikings (13-8, 7-1) remain atop the division along with Milpitas.

"We're playing better every game," Viking head coach Peter Diepenbrock said following the win.

The Vikings jumped ahead 11-4 in the first quarter by denying the Bruins from taking the ball inside.

"We are trying to just protect the basket," Diepenbrock said, "and force them to shoot from the outside ‹ they can't shoot."

The Vikings' early run was sparked by two layups from senior Tak Abe, who finished with eight points, and two early baskets from senior Nik Ajagu, who put in seven for Palo Alto.

But with their full-court press and improved shooting, the Bruins fought their way back to within eight late in the second quarter with an 11-5 run which was paced by two three-pointers by Vincent Alabado. Alabado, the Bruins' starting point guard, finished with a team-high 11 points.

But Santa Clara couldn't muster more runs, and the Vikings ran away with it.

"We have to play harder. We have to play as hard as humanly possible," Bruin coach Dedrick Brooks said. "They matched our intensity today. Not one team has been able to run their offense against us. This is the first time. They were prepared to play. They shot the hell out of it."

Leading by only eight, 25-17, at intermission, the Vikings stormed out of the locker room in the second half, holding the Bruins to two third-quarter field goals.

Then, with the game in hand because of their strong defense, the Vikings' offense went to work, outscoring the Bruins 26-7 in the fourth quarter.

Palo Alto's final explosion was paced by eight fourth-quarter points from Cliff Andersen. The junior finished with a game-high 15, and went a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line.

"He's played very well the last several games," Diepenbrock said. "He's getting more and more comfortable."