Nov. 16, 2009

Box Score

MOSCOW, Idaho - Four Gonzaga University women's basketball players scored in double-figures as the Bulldogs defeated the University of Idaho 80-57 at War Memorial Gymnasium in Moscow, Idaho Monday night. Senior Heather Bowman paced the Zags with a game-high 20 points, including 16 in the second half, while sophomore Katelan Redmon chipped in 15 to help improve Gonzaga's record to 1-1 on the season.

The Vandals, playing in their first game of the new season, are now 0-1.

The Bulldogs pulled out to a 32-22 halftime lead with a well rounded offensive attack. Eight Gonzaga players scored at least two points in the opening frame, including Tiffanie Shives who led the squad with eight points. Junior Janelle Bekkering drained two 3-pointers to chip in six. Gonzaga closed out the half hitting 33.3 percent from the field (10-of-30) and was 90.0 percent (9-for-10) at the charity stripe.

The Zags used stifling defense, holding the Vandals scoreless for nearly 13 minutes in the first half, to open up the contest at 24-9. Idaho's Shaena Kuehu hit a jumper at the 15:30 mark to cut Gonzaga's lead to 11-9 but would not put the ball through the basket again until 4:43 when Rachele Kloke scored. The Bulldogs used this stretch to go on a 13-0 spurt and take the double-digit lead.

Gonzaga was once again sloppy with the ball, turning it over 13 times in the first 20 and committed 11 personal fouls.

Idaho made an early run at Gonzaga in the second half, cutting the Bulldogs lead 37-30 at 16:57 by hitting three 3-pointers. The Bulldogs responded with a 15-2 run though to capture their then biggest lead of the game at 52-32 with 11:02 left in the contest.

It was Bowman who went to work to increase the Zags lead late in the game as she scored 13 of GU's final 21 points. The Spokane native sank 6-of-7 free throws and hit three jumpers over the final five minutes.

Gonzaga was better with the ball in the final half, only turning it over six times. It also only committed seven fouls.

Besides Bowman and Redmon, the Bulldogs were led by Shives, who had 14 points and Frieson who added 12.

The Zags finished the game shooting 40.6 percent from the floor (26-of-64), including 31.6 percent (6-of-19) and was 81.5 percent (22-for-27) at the charity stripe.

Gonzaga outrebounded the Vandals 56-37, although both teams grabbed 21 offensive boards.

The Vandals were led by Bianca Cheever and Kuehu who both scored 15 points. As a team Idaho shot 27.1 percent from the field (19-of-70), including 28.1 percent on 3-pointers (9-of32) and was 47.6 percent at the charity stripe (10-for-21).

The Bulldogs open their home slate Thursday, Nov. 19 when they welcome the University of Southern California to the McCarthey Athletic Center. Game time is set for 6 p.m.