Women's Basketball Downs Texas-Pan American 71-55
12/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2002
SPOKANE, Wash. - Sophomore forward Ashley Burke scored a career-high 26 points Thursday night to lift the Gonzaga University Bulldogs (2-4) to a 71-55 win over the University of Texas Pan-American Lady Broncs in non-conference play at the Kennel.
Head coach Kelly Graves started a veteran lineup as Ashley Burke and Raeanna Jewell knocked down the first 11 points for the Bulldogs. Center Anne Bickelhaupt anchored the inside as she collected six first-half blocks and four points.
The Bulldogs limited the Lady Broncs to 11 points in the first 10 minutes as they jumped out to a 20-4 lead in the first eight minutes. Texas Pan-American finished the first-half shooting 34.4 percent from the field.
Gonzaga led by as much as 19 points in the first half and went the locker room with a 38-26 lead; shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe.
A 3-pointer from Michelle Smith brought the Lady Broncs within six points with 15:40 left. They cut the deficit to six again with 12 minutes remaining when Jennifer Arriola chipped in a layup.
Burke answered for the Bulldogs with a layup and a rebound to build the lead, keeping the Lady Broncs at bay with a double-digit spread for the remainder of the game. Burke narrowly missed a double-double with 26 points and 9 rebounds. Triana Allen added 11 points while Jewell sank a season-high 10 points and pulled down five rebounds.
Alex Gravel paced Texas Pan-American with 14 points and 3 assists while Julie Porter scored nine points and nine rebounds.
Gonzaga shot 48.1 percent overall and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line. The 71-55 win marked the second-consecutive win for Gonzaga at home this season.
The Bulldogs continue a six-game homestand Saturday night when they host the San Jose State University Spartans (2-2) at 7 p.m. at the Kennel.
