SPOKANE, Wash. â€" Playing in front of a sold out crowd of 6,000 fans, the USD women's basketball team lost at Gonzaga 62-57 Thursday evening. The Toreros held a lead early in the third quarter and had two chances in the final 30 seconds to tie the game. Aubrey Ward-El led Toreros with 17 points.

The Toreros began the game down 10-4, but then went on an 8-0 run to take the lead. USD would take advantage of nine first quarter fouls by the Zags, making eight of nine free-throws and taking a 23-20 lead at the end of the first quarter led by Ward-El's nine points.

Both teams struggled in the second quarter, combining for just 18 points with the Zags holding a 31-30 lead at half.

USD scored the first four points of the third quarter, but Gonzaga responded with an 8-0 run and held a lead for the remainder of the evening.

The Toreros were down eight points with 4:16 left, but then went on a 6-0 run to bring the score to 56-54 with 2:00 minutes left. A couple Jill Barta free throws and a lay-in, pushed the lead back to six, but then Ward-El nailed a three with a minute left. The Toreros would have two chances to tie in the final 20 seconds, threes from Woodward and Ward-El, but couldn't get them to fall.

The Toreros forced 20 turnovers, but were outrebounded 41-26. USD held the Zags to 39 percent shooting (22-for-56), but shot 38 percent themselves (20-for-53).

Aside from Ward El's 17 points, Cori Woodward added 11 on 4-for-9 shooting. Gonzaga's lone scorer in double figures was Barta who finished with 13 points.

The Toreros close out the regular season at Portland Saturday afternoon.