Box Score

Jan. 24, 2004

SPOKANE, Wash. - Shannon Mathews, Ashley Anderson and Ashley Burke combined for 66 points as the Gonzaga University women's basketball team won its fifth West Coast Conference victory of the season over Santa Clara University, 77-69, on Thursday evening.

The Bulldogs (12-7, 5-1 WCC) was led by Mathews with a season-high 27 points, going 11-of-12 from the charity stripe. Anderson also grabbed a career-high 20 points with four rebounds for Gonzaga, while Burke put away 19 points and seven boards, 11 points coming from free throws. Burke needs only seven points to hit 1,000 career points.

The Broncos (6-13, 2-4 WCC) were led by Jennie Rondel and Quinn Thomas, both with 18 points. Tori Markey also put away 12 points with six rebounds for Santa Clara.

The Broncos took off controlling the scoreboards early in the first half, but the Bulldogs kept pace and claimed a lead for themselves as well. Santa Clara then went on an 18-3 run for a 12-point advantage at 25-13 with eight minutes on the clock. The Broncos kept the lead until Gonzaga went on a 6-0 run to end the first half only trailing by four points, 38-34.

Mathews and Burke led the Bulldogs in the first half, each scoring in double figures. Mathews had 14 in just the first 20 minutes of play, while Burke nailed 11, including five free-throws. Gonzaga held a 50 percent shooting average (13-for-26) and 18 rebounds, while Santa Clara shot 57.7 percent (15-for-26) with 13 rebounds.

The second half remained in the Broncos' control to begin as they controlled the ball for the first eight minutes of the half. The Bulldogs fought back, claiming the lead with 8:12 at 55-54 with a jumper by freshman Katy Ridenour and kept the lead for the remainder of the game. Mathews hit 9-of-10 free throws in the last 1:13, totaling 13 points in the second half alone to give Gonzaga the final eight-point victory, 77-69.

The Bulldogs remained consistent, shooting 50 percent from the field (25-for-50) and went 24-for-32 from the line. The Broncos shot 43.1 percent (25-for-58) from the field and sank eight three-pointers. Gonzaga outrebounded Santa Clara by one, 36-35, while the teams remained tied at 17 turnovers.

The Bulldogs next host University of San Diego on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in The Kennel.