Sunday, December 29
Spokane, Wash.
1 P.M.
Gonzaga University
vs
Portland
Photo by: Nick Tomoyasu
Zags Open WCC Play Against Portland Sunday
12/27/2019 1:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Bulldogs return to the floor following an eight-day break
#17/17 GONZAGA (11-1) vs. PORTLAND (7-4)
DEC. 29 | 1 P.M. | SPOKANE, WASH. | McCARTHEY ATHLETIC CENTER
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS
THE TIP-OFF
- Gonzaga will look to improve to 12-1 overall on the season Sunday against Portland. With a win, Gonzaga will post an 12-1 start to the season for the second time in program history and the second-straight season.
- The Zags' current 11-1 mark ties for the best start in program history, and it's the second-straight season the Bulldogs have completed nonconference play 11-1.
- GU is currently on a nine-game win streak, the longest of the season so far. The Bulldogs longest win streak in program history is 23 games, a feat they accomplished from Dec. 10, 2004 to March 6, 2005. The longest recent streak is 15-straight victories which occurred between Dec. 17, 2017 and Feb. 8, 2018.
- Gonzaga broke into the Associated Press Top 25 poll at No. 23 following a 76-70 overtime loss at Stanford on Nov. 17. This week, GU held steady in the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 17 while moving up one spot in the Coaches Poll to No. 18.
- Sunday will be the 14th time the Bulldogs have played on Dec. 29. The Zags carry a 9-4 overall record on the date; this is the second-straight season the Zags have taken the floor on this date. It will also be the second time in history that GU has faced Portland on this day. Gonzaga defeated the Pilots 80-65 in Portland during the 2011-12 season.
- Gonzaga currently ranks second in the nation in percent attendance capacity. The Zags average 91.82 percent capacity; that's an average of 5,509 fans that fill McCarthey Athletic Center every game.
- 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 PILOTS
- Portland returns three starters and 10 letter winners from last season's squad that finished 13-17 overall with a 5-13 mark in West Coast Conference play. The Pilots also welcome five newcomers to the mix.
- Portland was selected to finish at the bottom of the WCC this season in 10th; the Pilots finished eighth in the conference last season.
- Portland welcomed a new coaching staff this off-season, and are led by first-year head coach Michael Meek. He arrived at Portland following nine seasons at George Fox.
- The Pilots finished non-conference play with a 7-4 overall mark. As a squad, Portland averages 72.4 points per game shooting 45.9 percent from the floor.
- Freshman forward Alex Fowler leads the Pilots at 17.7 points per game shooting 56.6 percent from the floor. Fowler currently ranks second in the conference in points per game and third in field goal percentage.
- Three other Pilots also average double-figures as Haylee Andrews averages 16.3 points, Kate Andersen 13.6 and Maddie Muhlheim 10.0.
- As a squad, Portland averages 37.3 rebounds (eighth in the WCC).
- Three players average over 5.0 rebounds per game while five average at least 4.0 per game. Fowler leads the way with 7.8 boards per contest; Keeley Frawley adds 5.3 while Andrews hauls in 5.2. Both Liana Kaitu'u and Andersen add 4.5 and 4.3 rebounds per game, respectively.
- The Pilots lead the league in assists at 19.5 per game. So far this season, Portland has had six games of 20 or more assists, including a season-high 27 against Warner Pacific on Nov. 13. That number is also a program record for the Pilots (Division I), breaking the previous record of 25 set against Pepperdine on Feb. 8, 2014. The non-Division I record for the Pilots is 45 assists, set against Concordia on Dec. 16, 1983.
SERIES REVIEW
Overall: Gonzaga leads 53-26
Home: Gonzaga leads 27-9
Road: Portland leads 17-15
Neutral: Portland leads 3-2
Last Meeting: Gonzaga won 93-62 in Portland (2/9/19)
First Meeting: Gonzaga won 78-72 during the 1980-81 season
Streak: Gonzaga, won 21
DEC. 29 | 1 P.M. | SPOKANE, WASH. | McCARTHEY ATHLETIC CENTER
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS
THE TIP-OFF
- Gonzaga will look to improve to 12-1 overall on the season Sunday against Portland. With a win, Gonzaga will post an 12-1 start to the season for the second time in program history and the second-straight season.
- The Zags' current 11-1 mark ties for the best start in program history, and it's the second-straight season the Bulldogs have completed nonconference play 11-1.
- GU is currently on a nine-game win streak, the longest of the season so far. The Bulldogs longest win streak in program history is 23 games, a feat they accomplished from Dec. 10, 2004 to March 6, 2005. The longest recent streak is 15-straight victories which occurred between Dec. 17, 2017 and Feb. 8, 2018.
- Gonzaga broke into the Associated Press Top 25 poll at No. 23 following a 76-70 overtime loss at Stanford on Nov. 17. This week, GU held steady in the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 17 while moving up one spot in the Coaches Poll to No. 18.
- Sunday will be the 14th time the Bulldogs have played on Dec. 29. The Zags carry a 9-4 overall record on the date; this is the second-straight season the Zags have taken the floor on this date. It will also be the second time in history that GU has faced Portland on this day. Gonzaga defeated the Pilots 80-65 in Portland during the 2011-12 season.
- Gonzaga currently ranks second in the nation in percent attendance capacity. The Zags average 91.82 percent capacity; that's an average of 5,509 fans that fill McCarthey Athletic Center every game.
- 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 PILOTS
- Portland returns three starters and 10 letter winners from last season's squad that finished 13-17 overall with a 5-13 mark in West Coast Conference play. The Pilots also welcome five newcomers to the mix.
- Portland was selected to finish at the bottom of the WCC this season in 10th; the Pilots finished eighth in the conference last season.
- Portland welcomed a new coaching staff this off-season, and are led by first-year head coach Michael Meek. He arrived at Portland following nine seasons at George Fox.
- The Pilots finished non-conference play with a 7-4 overall mark. As a squad, Portland averages 72.4 points per game shooting 45.9 percent from the floor.
- Freshman forward Alex Fowler leads the Pilots at 17.7 points per game shooting 56.6 percent from the floor. Fowler currently ranks second in the conference in points per game and third in field goal percentage.
- Three other Pilots also average double-figures as Haylee Andrews averages 16.3 points, Kate Andersen 13.6 and Maddie Muhlheim 10.0.
- As a squad, Portland averages 37.3 rebounds (eighth in the WCC).
- Three players average over 5.0 rebounds per game while five average at least 4.0 per game. Fowler leads the way with 7.8 boards per contest; Keeley Frawley adds 5.3 while Andrews hauls in 5.2. Both Liana Kaitu'u and Andersen add 4.5 and 4.3 rebounds per game, respectively.
- The Pilots lead the league in assists at 19.5 per game. So far this season, Portland has had six games of 20 or more assists, including a season-high 27 against Warner Pacific on Nov. 13. That number is also a program record for the Pilots (Division I), breaking the previous record of 25 set against Pepperdine on Feb. 8, 2014. The non-Division I record for the Pilots is 45 assists, set against Concordia on Dec. 16, 1983.
SERIES REVIEW
Overall: Gonzaga leads 53-26
Home: Gonzaga leads 27-9
Road: Portland leads 17-15
Neutral: Portland leads 3-2
Last Meeting: Gonzaga won 93-62 in Portland (2/9/19)
First Meeting: Gonzaga won 78-72 during the 1980-81 season
Streak: Gonzaga, won 21
Thursday, March 28
Monday, March 25
Sunday, March 24
Saturday, March 23
