Feb. 1, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's basketball team defeated Gonzaga 65-41 this evening in West Coast Conference action at the Leavey Center. The Broncos held Gonzaga to an opponent low in points as they improve to 15-5 overall, 6-1 in league play. The Bulldogs fall to 13-9, 4-3.
The win places Santa Clara in a tie with Pepperdine at the midway marker of the season.
Sophomore Kayla Huss led all scorers with 15 points, while senior Tammy Annas was right behind her with 14. Annas just missed a double-double, as she led all rebounders with nine. Annas added seven steals in a strong defensive showing.
Gonzaga was led by Anne Bailey's nine-point, seven-rebound effort.
Santa Clara took an 18-6 lead on a long three-pointer from Huss. The Broncos improved that lead to 22-9 with a steal and lay-up by junior Jennie Rondel. Huss closed the first half with a 15-foot jumper that just beat the buzzer to give Santa Clara a 34-18 lead. She scored 12 of her 15 points during that period.
The Broncos held Gonzaga to 27.5 percent shooting on the night, and matched last week's effort against San Francisco, in holding an opponent to a season-low 41 points.
Huss hit her third three of the night, by banking in shot on the left side that pushed the Bronco lead past the 20-point barrier, making the game a 43-22 SCU advantage with 15 minutes remaining.
Sophomore Kim Butler returned to action after missing the first six conference games due to a stress fracture in her left foot. She pulled down six rebounds in nine minutes of action.
The Broncos start the second half of conference play next weekend, traveling south to take on San Diego. The game against the Toreros will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
