Nov. 29, 2001

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. - Brittney Hawks poured in a career-high 23 points and tied a career-high with 14 rebounds to lead the Washington State women's basketball team to an 80-72 win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Thursday at Friel Court.

The win improved the Cougars to 2-3. Gonzaga dropped to 2-4.

In establishing her career-high point total, Hawks set career bests in field goals made (11) and attempted (18). In addition, the senior from Rexburg, Idaho added a career-high five assists and three blocks.

Gonzaga was led by Jessica Malone's 18 points on six three-pointers but the senior was held to a single trey in the second half. Juliann Laney added 14 points and Ashley Burke scored 12 points for Gonzaga.

The Cougars prevailed in a battle of second half runs to secure its second consecutive victory.

Down by the 14-point margin, the Bulldogs went on a 12-2 run over the next 3:38 to cut their deficit to 57-54 with 11 minutes left.

Shannon Mathews would spark Gonzaga with seven points during the run.

WSU re-established its lead to double-digits with a 9-1 run in the next 3:46 to take a 66-55 with 7:14 left in the game. Once again, the Cougars saw contributions from a number of players as a quartet made a dent on the scoreboard during the run.

The Bulldogs would have one more run left in them as the team scored nine straight points over the next 2:04 to cut WSU's lead to two at 66-64 with 5:10 left in the game.

Melanie Tipps would spark the Bulldogs during the stretch with five points and a block.

The Bulldgos return to the Kennel Saturday for a 2 p.m. matinee against Saint Martin's College.