Jan. 27, 2001

Box Score

The Santa Clara Broncos held Gonzaga to 32 percent shooting and, at one point, sustained a 34-point lead in the second half as SCU rolled to a 74-48 route over the Bulldogs on Saturday night at the Leavey Center.

Becki Ashbaugh capped a 12-0 Santa Clara run that opened up a 15-5 Bronco lead as she nailed a 3-pointer at the 14:34 mark in the first half. It didn't take long for Triana Allen to heat up as her 3-point-shot with 11:34 to play brought the Zags to within four, 18-14, after trailing by 10 points just minutes earlier.

The Broncos closed the first half with authority, going on a 17-5 run that gave SCU a 38-21 advantage. The Zags headed into the lockers facing a 17-point deficit as the Broncos held the Zags leader in scoring and rebounds, Jessica Malone, to just five points on 1-of-4 shooting in the first half. Santa Clara forced 15 Bulldog turnovers while SCU only coughed up seven. Malone was limited to just 13 minutes in the first half as she picked up two quick fouls in the early going.

Santa Clara shot 43 percent on 12-of-28 shooting in the first half as they blistered the Zags defense from the perimeter with six bombs from behind the arc. SCU's 3-point attack was led by three 3's from Kim Sorenson as her nine first-half points were all from downtown.

Santa Clara showed no signs of weakness coming out of halftime as the Broncos went on a 13-2 run that was capped on a layin from SCU's Kendra Rhea. Santa Clara's scoring spree opened up a 51-23 advantage with 13:59 remaining.

The Broncos stretched their lead to a 31-point margin, 58-27, as Julie Butler hit a jumper with 10:55 left in the game. The Bulldogs couldn't close the gap any closer than 26 the rest of the way.

Santa Clara finished with four players in double figures. Becki Ashbaugh led the Broncos with 14 points while Caroline Gruening, Kendra Rhea, and Julie Butler chipped in with 13, 12 and 10 respectively. Triana Allen led the Bulldogs with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Bernice Stime led the Zags with 10 rebounds as she has led GU in rebounds throughout seven of their last eight contests. Malone finished her night with 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting and five turnovers.

Gonzaga (5-14, 0-6) remains without a "W" in the West Coast Conference as Santa Clara (14-4, 5-1) solidified 1st place position in the WCC as Saint Mary's fell to Pepperdine, 58-46. The Zags return to The Kennel on Thursday, Feb. 1, to square off against the Waves of Pepperdine University. Game time is set for 7 p.m.