Devon Saddler scored 12 points, including a key basket down the stretch, to help Delaware beat Santa Clara 54-53 in the first round of the Cable Car Classic on Wednesday night.
Malcolm Hawkins recorded a career-high 10 rebounds for the Blue Hens (6-4), snapping a two-game losing streak.
Kevin Foster scored six of his 13 points in the final 1:24 but ran into trouble under the basket as time expired. Raymond Cowels scored all 13 of his points in the first half for the Broncos (7-7), who fell to 5-3 at home.
Santa Clara led at halftime 29-23.
With about two minutes left, Saddler grabbed a loose ball and took it the length of the court for a layup to give Delaware a seven-point lead. The Blue Hens stayed ahead after that.
Delaware advances to the championship game and will play the winner of a later game between American and Fordham.
