SPOKANE, Wash. – Cold shooting for Santa Clara and hot shooting for Gonzaga led to a 74-58 defeat for women's basketball on the road Monday afternoon.
The Broncos (14-12, 8-8 WCC) had a lid on the hoop in the first two quarters, shooting just 20.8-percent from the field and 2-of-14 from beyond the arc. It was the exact opposite for the Bulldogs (22-6, 13-2 WCC) who shot 60.7-percent in the opening 20 minutes.
The second half was much better for Santa Clara as they went 16-for-31 from the floor and finished the day at 38.2-percent. Gonzaga shot well in the second half as well going 17-of-30 and ended the game at 58.6-percent.
The Zags opened the game on a 15-2 run and never looked back. They would take a 19-point lead into halftime and saw the advantage grow to as many as 29 in the third quarter.
Five players in double-figures led a balanced offensive attack for Gonzaga. Kayleigh Truong led the way with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Anamaria Virjoghe and Yvonne Ejim both scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting with Virjoghe adding nine rebounds. Melody Kempton (11) and Cierra Walker (10) rounded out the double-digit scorers.
Santa Clara got some rhythm going late and finished the game on an 11-2 run that cut into the deficit.
Lana Hollingsworth led all scorers with 17, one off her career-high, and went 8-of-10 from the field. Bryce Nixon scored 10 on 4-of-7 shooting as well and Merle Wiehl scored eight with eight boards.
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 29-47 all-time against Gonzaga.
- Lindsey VanAllen is now at 1,259 career points, good for 10th all-time at Santa Clara. Next is Suzanne Ressa (1992-96) with 1,262.
- The Broncos were without Lexie Pritchard who was injured at Long Beach State. Her return is uncertain. Ashlee Maldonado is also out and will miss the entire season.
NEXT UP
Santa Clara returns home for Senior Day Thursday against BYU at 6 p.m.
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