Feb. 18, 2010

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Two winning streaks were on the line but only one survived the night as #21 Gonzaga won its 13th straight game, halting LMU's two-game winning streak 73-40 in front of 2,816 fans on Thursday night at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Wash. Junior Renahy Young led the Lions (11-14, 4-7 WCC) with 17 points while four players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs (22-4, 11-0 WCC).

Gonzaga scored the game's first six points but LMU soon recovered, pulling back to 6-4 on Young's layup with 15:59 remaining in the first half. That would be the last point by either team for the next 4:25 until Tiffanie Shives connected on a three to kick-start a 17-0 Gonzaga run that blew the game open. The Bulldog defense also clamped down, holding the Lions without a point for almost nine-and-a-half minutes until Young got loose underneath for another layup with 6:32 to play.

Turnovers hurt the Lions early as they committed eight in the first 10:09 of the game, equaling their total from all of last game. LMU had nine turnovers and just six baskets at the half but was still within striking distance as Gonzaga went into the break holding a 25-14 advantage. Young's nine points in the first half carried the Lions, who were trailing only by 11 despite zero points from sophomore Alex Cowling.

LMU regrouped at halftime and got Cowling going as she knocked down a jumper and was followed minutes later by a three from sophomore Candice Nichols to get the Lions within eight, 27-19, with 19:04 left. Gonzaga would immediately answer with a 7-0 run, capped by another three from Shives. The lead would hover around 15 for the next 4:30 until back-to-back three-pointers from Shives and Courtney Vandersloot pushed the Gonzaga advantage above 20. Gonzaga shot 61% in the second half to pull away.

LMU had three players in double figures but only two points from the rest of the squad. Young finished with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and made three steals to lead the Lions. Cowling recovered from her scoreless first half with 11 in the second, along with a team-high eight rebounds. Nichols was also in double figures with 10 points while swiping six steals but senior Jenna Sybesma's two points were the only other points scored. The Lions shot 26.4% (14-for-53) from the floor, 13.3% (2-for-15) from three-point range, and 66.7% (10-for-15) from the free throw line.

Vandersloot led four Bulldogs in double figures with 17 points, adding eight assists and six rebounds. Shives knocked down four three-pointers on her way to 14 points while Vivian Frieson chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds and Heather Bowman posted 10 points and nine boards. Gonzaga shot 46.8% (29-for-62) from the floor, 41.2% (7-for-17) from three-point range, and 80% (8-for-10) at the line while holding a 48-27 rebounding edge. The Bulldogs grabbed 19 offensive rebounds that led to a 22-9 advantage in second chance points.

The Lions close out their 2009-10 road schedule on Saturday at Portland. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.