SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's basketball was defeated 67-52 by No. 16/13 Gonzaga Thursday evening in Leavey Center.

The Bulldogs (17-1, 6-0 WCC) dominated on the offensive glass and in the paint. They held a 25-6 advantage in second chance points, including 17-0 in the first half, thanks to a 22-7 edge in offensive rebounds and outscored the Broncos (8-9, 2-4 WCC) 38-20 in the paint.

Turnovers also played a big role with Santa Clara committing 17 and Gonzaga turning them into 21 points. The Broncos managed to force 13 turnovers and score 13 points off of them.

Gonzaga all but put the game away with a 12-2 run over the first six and a half minutes of the third quarter. Kaylynne Truong closed the run with a jumper that made it 52-32. Santa Clara didn't make a field goal until Lindsey VanAllen made a layup at 2:05.

Jill Townsend led all players with 13 points and 12 rebounds for the double-double. LeeAnne Wirth added 12 points with Jenn Wirth scoring 10 and grabbing eight boards. Katie Campbell and Melody Kempton both chipped in nine points.

Santa Clara made some noise in the fourth quarter and closed the game on a 10-0 run but it was too little too late. Lana Hollingsworth and Erica Meyer both scored four points during the run.

Tamia Braggs finished with a game high 10, with eight coming in the first quarter, on 5-for-8 shooting from the field. VanAllen added seven and all 12 Broncos that saw action scored.

The game was close through the first quarter but a 0-for-8 stretch from the field over nearly six minutes for Santa Clara allowed Gonzaga to stretch the lead to double digits for the first time in the second quarter. L. Wirth scored six in row for the Bulldogs at one point with her last points making it 36-25 at the 2:21 mark.

NOTES

• Santa Clara is now 29-41 all-time against Gonzaga.
• Lauren Yearwood remains at 101 blocks in her career, good for fourth in Santa Clara history. Next up is Lindsey Leo (2010-13) with 113.
• Tamia Braggs was in the starting lineup for the seventh game in a row, the first starts of her career. Lexie Pritchard also made her fourth start in a row for injured Tia Hay.
• Santa Clara had 13 assists on 18 made baskets.

UP NEXT
The Broncos stay home and take on Portland Saturday at 2 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with men's basketball. The men host Pacific at 6 p.m. Between the two games, there will be the annual Pasta Feedbeginning at 4 p.m.

Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat
Women's Basketball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram