Final Stats

USD vs GU Feb 1

SAN DIEGO â€" Despite a game-high 14 points from Aubrey Ward-El, the visiting Gonzaga Bulldogs stayed perfect in WCC play (11-0, 18-4 overall) with a 63-44 victory over the Toreros before 675 fans at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The Zag received double-digit scoring outings from Jill Barta (13 points) and Chandler Smith (12 points).

In the first quarter the Zags jumped out to a 6-0 lead before Myah Pace scored inside for the Toreros. Pace would add a second bucket and Aubrey Ward-El would score on a three-point play to pull within 8-7. Pace and Ward-El would each end the quarter with six points with Ward-El's three-pointer just beating the clock to get USD within 15-14 at the end of the period.

The Toreros continued its excellent play to start the second period as they made 3-of-4 early shots capped off by a Maya Hood bucket to get USD within 21-20. From there the Zags went on an 8-0 run to jump ahead 29-20 with just under four minutes left in the half. Gonzaga would outscore the Toreros 20-10 in the quarter overall in taking a 35-24 halftime lead. Jill Barta paced the Zags with 7 points as the team shot 51.9 percent from the field.

In the third period the Toreros were limited to just seven points in falling behind 54-31. In the final period two free throws from Ward-El pulled USD to within 56-40 but that would be as close as they would get. Ward-El was followed in scoring by Caroline Buhr, Myah Pace and Maya Hood, each with six points. USD competed on the boards with Gonzaga, pulling down 32 to the Zags' 33. Turnovers hurt the Toreros as they totaled 19 on the night.

Up next for the Toreros (12-10, 5-6 WCC) is a road trip to Moraga this Saturday to take on the Saint Mary's Gaels in a 2:00 p.m. contest.