Saturday, November 2
Spokane, Wash.
2 P.M.
Gonzaga University
vs
Warner Pacific University (Ore.)
Photo by: Nick Tomoyasu
WBB Hosts Warner Pacific in Lone Exhibition Saturday
11/1/2019 11:38:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Bulldogs open regular-season against CSU Bakersfield on Nov. 10
Gonzaga (0-0) vs. Warner Pacific (2-0)
NOV. 2 | 2 P.M. | SPOKANE | McCARTHEY ATHLETIC CENTER
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
SERIES NOTES
Gonzaga and Warner Pacific have met two times during the regular season (records not available for exhibition meetings).
OVERALL: 2-0, Gonzaga leads
HOME: 1-0, Gonzaga leads
AWAY: 1-0, Gonzaga leads
Last Meeting: Gonzaga won 88-54 in Spokane (1/3/90)
First Meeting: Gonzaga won 117-58 in 1985 (before official records)
This will be the first time GU and WPU have met in an exhibition contest since 2009-10. In the last exhibition, the Bulldogs defeated the Knights 100-42 on Nov. 6, 2009.
THE TIP-OFF
- Gonzaga will open exhibition play for the 2019-20 season when it hosts Warner Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m., in Spokane.
- Gonzaga is receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, and the Bulldogs are ranked No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
- The Zags have a history of cruising in their season-opening exhibitions.
- Gonzaga has an average margin of victory of 50.3 points in exhibition wins over the past 10 seasons.
- In last season's opening exhibition, the Bulldogs cruised to an 86-43 win over Carroll College.
- Five Zags finished in double-figures in the exhibition win, paced by 23 points from Chandler Smith. Smith finished 9-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-5 from long range.
- The Zags have twice scored 100 or more points in exhibition wins in the last 10 seasons. They did so in back-to-back seasons, finishing with 100 points against Warner Pacific in 2009 while posting 115 points in 2010 against Western Oregon.
- The Bulldogs are 2-0 all-time during regular-season contests (not including exhibition contests) against Warner Pacific.
- Gonzaga returns two starters and seven letter-winners from last season's squad that claimed the Zags' third consecutive and 15th overall West Coast Conference regular season title.
- In 2018-19, the Bulldogs advanced to their third-straight NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Second Round.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
- Warner Pacific is a veteran squad that returns five players from last season's squad that finished 15-13 overall with an 11-9 record in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
- The roster features nine upperclassmen with multiple NCAA Division I and II transfers.
- During the 2018-19 season, the Knights averaged 72.4 points per game shooting 41.1 percent from the floor. Three players averaged double-figures, led by Deepika Kapil with 10.9 points per game. Gabriella Bruno and Bailey Allen added 10.8 and 10.3 points per game, respectively. Bruno is the lone returner of the group.
- As a squad, Warner Pacific averaged 36.5 rebounds per game, 3.0 fewer than its opponents for the 2018-19 season. Kapil also led the Knights on the glass with 7.6 per game.
- The Knights were picked to finish eighth in the CCC.
- So far this season, WPU is 2-0 with regular-season games at CSU-Maritime (W, 86-35) and at Simpson (W, 77-67).
- Through two games, Bruno leads the Knights with 19.5 points per game. Four other Knights average double figures, led by Darbi Pink with 16.0 points per game. Payton Whitmore adds 14.0, while Samantha Morgan and Celeste Pantoja each at 12.5 apiece.
ZAGS RANKED IN USA TODAY COACHES POLL
- Gonzaga is ranked 23rd in the USA Today Coaches Poll that was released Oct. 31. The Bulldogs are receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, released on Oct. 30.
- The Bulldogs are fresh off a 29-5 record during the 2018-19 season with an NCAA Second Round appearance and the highest ranking in school history at No. 12/11.
- Gonzaga lost all three of its seniors to graduation in 2019: Zykera Rice, Chandler Smith and Laura Stockton.
BULLDOGS TABBED WCC FAVORITE....AGAIN
For the seventh-straight season, Gonzaga was selected as the favorite to win the 2019-20 WCC crown. The Zags, which have won 14 of the last 15 regular-season WCC titles--including the last three straight--received seven of 10 first-place votes for 78 points. BYU was selected second while Pacific rounded out the top three in third place.
JENN WIRTH AND TOWNSEND SELECTED PRESEASON ALL-WCC
- This was the first preseason all-conference nod for both Wirth and Jill Townsend.
- Townsend, who was selected All-WCC Honorable Mention a season ago, appeared in 31 games for the Bulldogs. She's the top returning scorer for the Zags at 9.4 points per game, and last season she ranked third on the Zags and fifth in the conference in field goal percentage at 51.7 percent. Townsend scored a career-high 19 points off 6-of-11 from the floor in GU's double-overtime thriller against Saint Mary's in the semifinals of the WCC tournament. Last season, she added career highs in rebounds (10), assists (5), steals (3) and blocks (2).
- Wirth saw action in the final 27 games for the Bulldogs after being sidelined with a finger injury to open the season. She ranked sixth on the squad in scoring at 8.3 points per outing, and she led the Zags and ranked second in the WCC in field goal percentage at 53.8 percent sinking 91-of-169 attempts. Wirth twice recorded a double-double last season, and she set new career highs in points (16), blocks (4) and minutes (26). She scored in double-figures 10 times last season, and grabbed at least five rebounds on 15 different occasions.
A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
- The Bulldogs' upcoming slate features the potential for nine 2018-19 NCAA tournament teams, seven WNIT teams, seven opponents with at least 20 wins last season and one team with 30-plus victories.
- Gonzaga will be tested early in the season with a tough matchup at preseason No. 4 Stanford. The Bulldogs defeated the Cardinal last season inside the McCarthey Athletic Center.
- The Zags' Thanksgiving week tournament, the Gulf Coast Showcase, offers a strong field as seven of the eight participating teams advanced to postseason play last season.
A LOOK AT THE ROSTER
- The Zags' 2019-20 roster is similar to that of the 2018-19 roster that finished with a 29-5 overall record, a WCC regular-season title and a trip to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs once again have ample depth, despite having lost 45 percent of their scoring capacity with the departure of Zykera Rice, Chandler Smith and Laura Stockton.
- The Bulldogs return second-leading scorer Jill Townsend, who was tabbed Preseason All-WCC for the first time in her career this season. Townsend returns after averaging 9.4 points and 4.7 rebounds a season ago.
- Joining Townsend in the backcourt are guards Katie Campbell and Jessie Loera who are both back for their senior campaigns. Campbell led the Zags and the West Coast Conference in three-point field goal percentage at 45.0, while Loera ranked second on the squad and sixth in the conference in assists with 4.1 per outing. Junior Louise Forsyth also returns for the Zags, offering yet another long-range threat as she seeks more playing time during the 2019-20 season.
- Gonzaga once again boasts a sizeable frontcourt, as the Wirth twins return for their junior seasons. LeeAnne Wirth started every game for the Bulldogs at forward a season ago, and Jenn Wirth is expected to make a big impact inside for the Zags once more this season. 6-foot-5 Anamaria Virjoghe is also eligible to play after sitting out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules, and Melody Kempton returns for her sophomore campaign following a strong freshman outing. Freshman forward Eliza Hollingsworth, who stands at 6-foot-2, also joins the ranks with a wealth of international playing experience with Australia.
- The Bulldogs also add another set of twins to the mix as the Truong twins, Kayleigh and Kaylynne, joined the ranks this season. The freshmen were touted as the two of the top 30 best point guards in the nation by ESPN.
REMINDER: McCARTHEY SECURITY MEASURES
- In order to provide its fans with the safest venue environment, Gonzaga Athletics is implementing additional security measures at events at the McCarthey Athletic Center beginning this upcoming season.
- Security measures include metal detection technology at all entrances and a clear bag policy, which both keep safety and security a priority. These security measures will be in effect beginning with Kraziness in the Kennel.
- With the entry process possibly increasing the time it takes to enter the building, Gonzaga Athletics encourages all fans to arrive early or utilize the designated express lanes that are intended for patrons that don't have any bags or large metals items such as cameras or tablets.
- People entering the arena will be screened via walkthrough metal detectors or by utilization of hand wands when needed.
NOV. 2 | 2 P.M. | SPOKANE | McCARTHEY ATHLETIC CENTER
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
SERIES NOTES
Gonzaga and Warner Pacific have met two times during the regular season (records not available for exhibition meetings).
OVERALL: 2-0, Gonzaga leads
HOME: 1-0, Gonzaga leads
AWAY: 1-0, Gonzaga leads
Last Meeting: Gonzaga won 88-54 in Spokane (1/3/90)
First Meeting: Gonzaga won 117-58 in 1985 (before official records)
This will be the first time GU and WPU have met in an exhibition contest since 2009-10. In the last exhibition, the Bulldogs defeated the Knights 100-42 on Nov. 6, 2009.
THE TIP-OFF
- Gonzaga will open exhibition play for the 2019-20 season when it hosts Warner Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m., in Spokane.
- Gonzaga is receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, and the Bulldogs are ranked No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
- The Zags have a history of cruising in their season-opening exhibitions.
- Gonzaga has an average margin of victory of 50.3 points in exhibition wins over the past 10 seasons.
- In last season's opening exhibition, the Bulldogs cruised to an 86-43 win over Carroll College.
- Five Zags finished in double-figures in the exhibition win, paced by 23 points from Chandler Smith. Smith finished 9-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-5 from long range.
- The Zags have twice scored 100 or more points in exhibition wins in the last 10 seasons. They did so in back-to-back seasons, finishing with 100 points against Warner Pacific in 2009 while posting 115 points in 2010 against Western Oregon.
- The Bulldogs are 2-0 all-time during regular-season contests (not including exhibition contests) against Warner Pacific.
- Gonzaga returns two starters and seven letter-winners from last season's squad that claimed the Zags' third consecutive and 15th overall West Coast Conference regular season title.
- In 2018-19, the Bulldogs advanced to their third-straight NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Second Round.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
- Warner Pacific is a veteran squad that returns five players from last season's squad that finished 15-13 overall with an 11-9 record in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
- The roster features nine upperclassmen with multiple NCAA Division I and II transfers.
- During the 2018-19 season, the Knights averaged 72.4 points per game shooting 41.1 percent from the floor. Three players averaged double-figures, led by Deepika Kapil with 10.9 points per game. Gabriella Bruno and Bailey Allen added 10.8 and 10.3 points per game, respectively. Bruno is the lone returner of the group.
- As a squad, Warner Pacific averaged 36.5 rebounds per game, 3.0 fewer than its opponents for the 2018-19 season. Kapil also led the Knights on the glass with 7.6 per game.
- The Knights were picked to finish eighth in the CCC.
- So far this season, WPU is 2-0 with regular-season games at CSU-Maritime (W, 86-35) and at Simpson (W, 77-67).
- Through two games, Bruno leads the Knights with 19.5 points per game. Four other Knights average double figures, led by Darbi Pink with 16.0 points per game. Payton Whitmore adds 14.0, while Samantha Morgan and Celeste Pantoja each at 12.5 apiece.
ZAGS RANKED IN USA TODAY COACHES POLL
- Gonzaga is ranked 23rd in the USA Today Coaches Poll that was released Oct. 31. The Bulldogs are receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, released on Oct. 30.
- The Bulldogs are fresh off a 29-5 record during the 2018-19 season with an NCAA Second Round appearance and the highest ranking in school history at No. 12/11.
- Gonzaga lost all three of its seniors to graduation in 2019: Zykera Rice, Chandler Smith and Laura Stockton.
BULLDOGS TABBED WCC FAVORITE....AGAIN
For the seventh-straight season, Gonzaga was selected as the favorite to win the 2019-20 WCC crown. The Zags, which have won 14 of the last 15 regular-season WCC titles--including the last three straight--received seven of 10 first-place votes for 78 points. BYU was selected second while Pacific rounded out the top three in third place.
JENN WIRTH AND TOWNSEND SELECTED PRESEASON ALL-WCC
- This was the first preseason all-conference nod for both Wirth and Jill Townsend.
- Townsend, who was selected All-WCC Honorable Mention a season ago, appeared in 31 games for the Bulldogs. She's the top returning scorer for the Zags at 9.4 points per game, and last season she ranked third on the Zags and fifth in the conference in field goal percentage at 51.7 percent. Townsend scored a career-high 19 points off 6-of-11 from the floor in GU's double-overtime thriller against Saint Mary's in the semifinals of the WCC tournament. Last season, she added career highs in rebounds (10), assists (5), steals (3) and blocks (2).
- Wirth saw action in the final 27 games for the Bulldogs after being sidelined with a finger injury to open the season. She ranked sixth on the squad in scoring at 8.3 points per outing, and she led the Zags and ranked second in the WCC in field goal percentage at 53.8 percent sinking 91-of-169 attempts. Wirth twice recorded a double-double last season, and she set new career highs in points (16), blocks (4) and minutes (26). She scored in double-figures 10 times last season, and grabbed at least five rebounds on 15 different occasions.
A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
- The Bulldogs' upcoming slate features the potential for nine 2018-19 NCAA tournament teams, seven WNIT teams, seven opponents with at least 20 wins last season and one team with 30-plus victories.
- Gonzaga will be tested early in the season with a tough matchup at preseason No. 4 Stanford. The Bulldogs defeated the Cardinal last season inside the McCarthey Athletic Center.
- The Zags' Thanksgiving week tournament, the Gulf Coast Showcase, offers a strong field as seven of the eight participating teams advanced to postseason play last season.
A LOOK AT THE ROSTER
- The Zags' 2019-20 roster is similar to that of the 2018-19 roster that finished with a 29-5 overall record, a WCC regular-season title and a trip to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs once again have ample depth, despite having lost 45 percent of their scoring capacity with the departure of Zykera Rice, Chandler Smith and Laura Stockton.
- The Bulldogs return second-leading scorer Jill Townsend, who was tabbed Preseason All-WCC for the first time in her career this season. Townsend returns after averaging 9.4 points and 4.7 rebounds a season ago.
- Joining Townsend in the backcourt are guards Katie Campbell and Jessie Loera who are both back for their senior campaigns. Campbell led the Zags and the West Coast Conference in three-point field goal percentage at 45.0, while Loera ranked second on the squad and sixth in the conference in assists with 4.1 per outing. Junior Louise Forsyth also returns for the Zags, offering yet another long-range threat as she seeks more playing time during the 2019-20 season.
- Gonzaga once again boasts a sizeable frontcourt, as the Wirth twins return for their junior seasons. LeeAnne Wirth started every game for the Bulldogs at forward a season ago, and Jenn Wirth is expected to make a big impact inside for the Zags once more this season. 6-foot-5 Anamaria Virjoghe is also eligible to play after sitting out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules, and Melody Kempton returns for her sophomore campaign following a strong freshman outing. Freshman forward Eliza Hollingsworth, who stands at 6-foot-2, also joins the ranks with a wealth of international playing experience with Australia.
- The Bulldogs also add another set of twins to the mix as the Truong twins, Kayleigh and Kaylynne, joined the ranks this season. The freshmen were touted as the two of the top 30 best point guards in the nation by ESPN.
REMINDER: McCARTHEY SECURITY MEASURES
- In order to provide its fans with the safest venue environment, Gonzaga Athletics is implementing additional security measures at events at the McCarthey Athletic Center beginning this upcoming season.
- Security measures include metal detection technology at all entrances and a clear bag policy, which both keep safety and security a priority. These security measures will be in effect beginning with Kraziness in the Kennel.
- With the entry process possibly increasing the time it takes to enter the building, Gonzaga Athletics encourages all fans to arrive early or utilize the designated express lanes that are intended for patrons that don't have any bags or large metals items such as cameras or tablets.
- People entering the arena will be screened via walkthrough metal detectors or by utilization of hand wands when needed.
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