Jan. 2, 2006

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University women's basketball turned up the defensive pressure on Monday night as the Bulldogs rang in the New Year with an 81-57 win over Portland State University (6-6) to end the non-conference portion of GU's schedule. Gonzaga limited PSU to just 32 percent shooting from the floor including only 16 percent in the opening 20 minutes. Gonzaga improves to 5-10 and will host Santa Clara University on Friday night to open West Coast Conference play at 8 p.m. in the McCarthey Athletic Center. The game can also be seen live on FSN.

Gonzaga blew up open the game from the opening tip as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 15-0 lead as Sasha Polishchuck and Katy Ridenour hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the run. Jami Bjorklund capped the 7 minute 38 second opening run with a jumper from the elbow. Portland State finally cracked the scoreboard at 12:22 as Kelsey Kahle hit a pair of free throws. Kahle would keep the Vikings within in striking distance as she scored 12 first half points including a 10-for-13 effort from the free throw line. Portland State was only 3-for-19 from the floor as Gonzaga posted a 34-20 halftime lead.

Anne Bailey led the Bulldogs with 8 first half points while Polishchuck added 6 with 3 assists. Gonzaga hit 41 percent from the line and dominated the glass with a 25-14 first half rebound advantage.

The Bulldogs were even better from the field the field in the second half as they connected on 51 percent hitting 16-of-31. Five GU players would finish in double digits with Bailey leading the way with 13. Bjorklund, Maria Hassett, Stephanie Hawk and Ashley Anderson all finished with 10. Hawk also pulled down 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.

Bailey would push help push the Bulldogs lead out to 20 with just over 3 minutes gone in the second half as Gonzaga lead 42-22. Portland State would close the gap to 18 points four times in the second half, the last on another pair of free throws by Kahle. Kahle led all players with 19 points hitting 13-of-18 from the charity stripe. Brianna Thompson added 12 for PSU as they shot 42 percent in the second half.