Feb. 25, 2006

Box Score

SAN FRANCISCO - The Gonzaga University women's basketball team is once again a champion of the West Coast Conference as the Bulldogs won at the University of San Francisco on Saturday afternoon to clinch a share of the regular-season WCC title with Santa Clara University. Gonzaga (16-13, 11-3 WCC) won 71-53 over San Francisco (8-19, 4-10 WCC) spoiling the Dons senior day game. Gonzaga will be the No. 2 seed in the WCC Tournament which starts on Thursday afternoon at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs lost the tie-breaker with the Broncos by virtue of their season record against fourth place finisher Pepperdine University. Official times and pairings for the WCC Tournament will be released on Sunday.

Gonzaga had its best shooting night in nearly a month as the Bulldogs connected for 51 percent from the floor with four players hitting in double figures. Stephanie Hawk led the way with 17 points while Katy Ridenour had 15, Anne Bailey 14 and Ashley Anderson 12. Gonzaga was also effective controlling the ball with a 13 turnovers for the game. Gonzaga's season low for turnovers is 11 during a loss at No. 22 Utah earlier this year.

Ridenour helped guide GU to a 34-24 lead at the break as she hit 11 of her 15 points in the first half. Ridenour hit the Bulldogs lone 3-point basket as they hit only one 3-pointer for the third straight game. USF did not fare much better from long range hitting only 2-of-12. Danae Wellander had one of the 3-pointers to finish with 10 points. Nickie Warren led the Dons with 11. Gonzaga was able to hold last year's WCC Newcomer of the Year, Dominique Carter, to only 6 points in the game.

Gonzaga continued to score in the second half extending their lead to as high as 24 points when Bailey drained a jumper with 10:44 remaining. USF closed to within 15 points with 2:15 left but never threatened as Gonzaga iced the game with 6 straight made free throws. The 51 one percent shooting is the highest for Gonzaga since they hit 54 percent against the University of San Diego on Jan. 19.

Brackets for the Women's West Coast Conference Tournament will be released on Sunday afternoon. Individual session passes for the women's tournament will be on sale starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning at the McCarthey Athletic Center Ticket Office or at any TicketsWest outlet. All session passes for the Women's WCC Tournament are also available.

Gonzaga has now finished first or second in the West Coast Conference regular-season that last four seasons, advancing to the WCC Tournament championship each of the last two years.