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LAS VEGAS - Evan Payne returned from a three-game absence (knee) and led LMU with 29 points, but an early hole was too much to overcome as the 10th-seed Lions fell 85-54 to seventh-seed Santa Clara in the final first round game of the 2015 West Coast Conference Championship Friday at the Orleans Arena.

The Lions close out their first season under Head Coach Mike Dunlap at 8-23 overall. Santa Clara improves to 14-16 overall and advances to the WCC Quarterfinals where they will face No. 2-seed BYU.

"We have talked about this all season. There are three phases to the game that can determine a game - field goal percentage, rebounding and turnovers. Tonight we got beat in all three," said Head Coach Mike Dunlap. "We wanted to get the lead down to under 10 by the midway point of the second half. We got it 10 but they came out of a timeout, took advantage and stretched it back out."

The Broncos were hot from beyond the arc early as a two threes by Jared Brownridge and one by Brandon Clark helped build a 20-6 advantage seven minute in.

LMU's defensive pressure slowed Santa Clara midway through the half, forcing the Broncos into three turnovers and an 0-for-7 performance from the field for more than five minutes. An Ayodeji Egbeyemi free throw brought the Lions within seven during these stretch, but the Broncos would go on to score the final five points of the half to carry a 36-22 advantage into the break.

Payne got the Lions going early in the second half, scoring nine points in the first four minutes as the Lions looked to cut into the Bronco lead. But Santa Clara continued to have an answer each time, hitting better than 61 percent from the field in the frame.

After shooting just 7-for-30 (23.3 percent) in the first half, LMU rebounded to hit 11-of-21 (52.4 percent) in the second.

Payne tallied his 10th game this season, and 17th of his career, of 20 points or more. His team-leading nine rebounds was also a career-high. Joining Payne in double figures was Egbeyemi, who finished with 14 points in his final collegiate appearance. No other Lion scored more than four points.

Brownridge and Clark led Santa Clara with 19 points apiece and went a combined 8-for-13 from three. Jarvis Pugh chipped in 12 points and a team-high seven boards.

The Broncos held a 38-26 edge on the boards, and turned 13 offensive rebounds into 17 second chance points. The Lions managed 12 offensive boards of their own, but scored just four points off the opportunities. Santa Clara also turned 15 LMU turnovers into 19 points.