Dec. 7, 2000

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University made the most of its 60-33 rebounding advantage on Thursday night as the Bulldogs ended a three-game losing skid with a 73-67 non-conference women's basketball victory over UC-Riverside in the Martin Centre.

UC-Riverside opened the first-half with a balanced scoring attack as both teams see-sawed back and forth for the lead. Presley Weir scored 9 points and Kristin DeSimone chipped in 8 points as the Highlanders pushed out to a 34-29 lead. Jessica Malone kept Gonzaga in the contest scoring 15 first-half points as the Bulldogs struggled from the field shooting 27 percent in the opening 20 minutes.

Gonzaga's aggressive streak came out in full-force in the second 20 minutes as the Bulldogs mustered a 33-12 rebounding advantage including 16 offensive boards. Jessica Malone pulled down 11 second-half rebounds en route to a career-high 17 board night. Gonzaga's dominance on the boards was also rewarded at the free-throw line as the Zags connected for 21-of-29 second half free throws. As both teams battled for the lead it was a decisive 10-3 Gonzaga run at the 7 minute mark of the second half that helped sway the game in Gonzaga's direction. The Highlanders did cut down the final margin as Sperry Goode knocked down two 3-point baskets in the final minute of play.

Gonzaga improves to 3-5 on the season and will have time to rest before next playing at Washington State on Dec. 17. Jessica Malone continued her torrid scoring pace as she hit 26 points giving her 20-plus points in five of her last six games. Nathalie Chevallay added 13 points and 11 rebounds with Erin Bergman adding 12 points despite shooting 1-for-10 from the floor, Bergman hitting 9-of-14 from the free throw line. The 60 rebounds rank fourth on the Gonzaga charts for team rebounds in a game.

UC-Riverside dropped to 2-7 on the season despite shooting a high percentage than Gonzaga for the game. Julie Shaw hit 10-of-11 free throws to score 18 points and lead the Highlanders. Sperry Goode knocked down 13 points and Kristin DeSimone added 12. UC-Riverside stays in the Northwest for the weekend as they head to Idaho State for a Saturday night game.