Final Stats

LAS VEGAS - The Zags made a valiant effort late with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter, but ran out of time having to foul late, and fell to Belmont 71-63 on Thursday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in the first round of the Play4Kay Shootout.

Jill Barta had an outstanding night with her third-straight double-double in as many games, with 21 points on nine-of-17 shooting, and a career-high 22 rebounds, setting a new school record. She beat Anne Bailey, Penny Thomley, and Sue Harvey's mark of 20. Zykera Rice scored 12, her season high, and Laura Stockton added 10. Emma Stach and Jessie Loera had four assists each, and GU shot 41 percent while holding Belmont to 35 percent from the field. GU defended Belmont at the three, holding them to 27 percent, but only made two on their offensive end. The Zags blocked seven shots, led by three from Barta. GU dominated in the paint, 36-22 in points, and 15-2 in bench points, led by Loera with seven.

Barta opened the game with four points before Belmont could get on the board, but BU scored four-straight in response. The Bulldogs opened the game five-of-six from the field and led 11-4 three and a half minutes in. The scoring cooled from there as GU took a 15-11 lead into the second quarter. GU held Belmont to one-of-seven shooting from three, and finished seven-of-15 from the field in the quarter. One minute into the second quarter, Belmont took their first lead, 16-15. The Zags first basket of the second quarter came past the five-minute mark, as Belmont led 25-17. Jessie Loera nailed a three at the three-minute mark to stay close, 29-22. Rice hit a late jumper and Belmont led 36-28 at the half.

Barta finished the half with eight points and eight boards, Rice scored six, and Smith had five. GU shot 43 percent, Belmont shot 36 percent, and GU forced five turnovers with four steals. The Zags got within six early in the third quarter, but Belmont rushed back on a 5-0 spurt to lead 41-30 two minutes into the quarter. The Bruins still led 54-42 after three quarters. Barta hit the double-double mark midway through the fourth quarter with her 10th rebound and exploded from there. Barta grabbed the offensive board and put it back with four and half minutes left, getting it under 10, 61-52, forcing a Belmont timeout. Two possessions later, Barta followed with a three-point play to make it 61-55. She made two free throws to cap the 11-0 run, but that was as close as GU got. The Zags came up empty on their next six shots, and had to trade baskets for free throws late.

The Zags (1-2) move onto face Kent State tomorrow at 3 pm. Live links are available at GoZags.com.