SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga University (2-2, 0-0 WCC) fell to Stanford University (5-0, 0-0 ACC), 65-52, at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Despite forcing eight steals, the Bulldogs were outscored 38-22 in the paint.
Gonzaga and Stanford began the first quarter with a tight battle, as both teams exchanged early baskets.
Allie Turner tied the game at 2-2 with a jumper at 9:10, while
Zeryhia Aokuso's 3-pointer at 8:30 gave the Zags a 5-2 lead. Aokuso further extended GU's advantage with a layup at 6:43, bringing the score to 11-2. Despite a late surge from Stanford, the Bulldogs maintained control. The quarter concluded with Aokuso hitting a free throw at the buzzer, securing a 22-13 lead for Gonzaga.
The Bulldogs maintained a narrow lead in the second quarter. Courtney Ogden of Stanford scored a layup at 7:41, narrowing the gap to 22-19, followed by a fast-break 3-pointer by
Teryn Gardner at 7:05 to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 25-19.
Allie Turner further increased the lead with a 3-pointer at 4:45, assisted by
Jaiden Haile, making it 31-21. Stanford responded with a 3-pointer from Chloe Clardy at 0:18, assisted by Hailee Swain, reducing the deficit to 33-31 as the quarter concluded.
In the third quarter, Stanford gained momentum with strong inside play, highlighted by Nunu Agara's effective layups, giving them a 35-33 lead early on. Turner tied the game at 35-35 with a jumper at 6:54. However, Stanford's Clardy extended their advantage to 38-35 with a 3-pointer at 5:57. Despite a jumper from
Taylor Smith bringing the Zags within four points with 43 seconds left, Stanford's Clardy secured the quarter with two free throws, concluding with a 48-42 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Stanford extended their lead over GU. Smith responded with a jumper at 6:58, assisted by
Lauren Whittaker, to keep the home team within reach. However, Stanford maintained pressure with free throws from Clardy and a layup from Ogden at 2:58. Turner added a layup for the Bulldogs with 1:55 remaining, but Mary Ashley Stevenson sealed the game for Stanford with a layup at the 7-second mark, concluding the contest at 65-52 in Stanford's favor.
Gonzaga Top Performers
Allie Turner
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- 14 points
- 6 assists
- 4 rebounds
Ines Bettencourt
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- 7 points
- 3 steals
- 3 assists
Zeryhia Aokuso
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- 9 points
- 6 rebounds
In their next game, the Bulldogs will travel South Dakota State on Thursday, Nov. 20, at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.