Jan. 12, 2006

Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine University freshman Jessica Ross blocked a lay-up with 3 seconds remaining and Katy Ridenour missed a desperation jumper as time ran out in overtime as the Gonzaga University Bulldogs (7-11, 2-1 WCC) fell one point short during a 59-58 loss in Malibu. Gonzaga had rallied from 13 points down in the first half to force the extra period. Pepperdine improved to 5-11, 2-1 in the WCC.

Trailing 27-14 at the half, Gonzaga rallied in the second half behind a dominating performance on the glass. The Bulldogs used a 47-32 rebounding advantage to chip away at the Waves lead. Katie Prichard knocked down one of two free throws with 8:11 left in regulation to knot the game at 42-42. Teiosha George scored the Waves final field goal of regulation with 5:23 left to give Pepperdine a 49-45 lead. Pepperdine's struggles at the free throw line would allow Gonzaga to stay within striking distance as they hit 3-of-8 over the final 3:10 and 11-of-21 for the game. George finished with 11 points off the bench for Pepperdine

Ironically it was the line that allowed the Bulldogs to force overtime as Ashley Anderson sank a pair of free throws with seven seconds left to tie the game at 55-55. In the overtime period both teams failed to generate any offense with Pepperdine's Jasmane Claredon scoring three of the team's four points. Clarendon led all players with 13. Prichard scored Gonzaga's lone overtime field goal as they hit only 1-of-10 shots in the extra five minutes. Anderson also hit one of two from the free throw line to finish with 12 points. She also pulled down 13 rebounds for her third straight double-double.

Gonzaga was also cold to start the game as they would not reach double-figures until Stephanie Hawk hit a lay-up with 4:56 left in the first. By that time Pepperdine had built a 21-10 lead with Daphanie Kennedy scoring four of her 10 points in the opening run. Hawk finished with 12 points while Dominique Harris added 11 and Ridenour 10 points in the loss.

The Bulldogs will continue their two-game road trip on Saturday afternoon at Loyola Marymount University. The Lions are the lone undefeated team in WCC player following a win over Portland on Thursday night.