SPOKANE, Wash. – The San Diego women's basketball program (6-7, 0-2 WCC) held a late third quarter lead, but were unable to hold off No. 22 Gonzaga (11-2, 2-0 WCC), falling 70-59, on Monday night at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
Graduate student
Myah Pace led the way on offense with 10 points, while
Veronica Sheffey added nine points and one assist in her first collegiate game in her native Washington.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a game opening bucket from Pace, Gonzaga jumped out on a 9-2 run and shot 56.3% in the opening quarter, ultimately taking a 22-12 lead through the first period.
- While the lead got as high as 14 with 4:11 to go in the opening half, the Toreros found an answer to the Gonzaga offense.
- San Diego would go on an 8-0 run to end the half, behind four points from Ayanna Khalfani and stifled the Gonzaga offense in the quarter, allowing just 10 points.
- The momentum continued to swing in the Toreros favor in the third quarter, as the visiting side went on a 12-3 run to take their first lead since 2-0 at 38-37.
- Amanda Olinger was a key part of the stretch, hitting a three from the top of the arc and then recording a basket in transition to spark the run.
- While the Bulldogs were able to retake the lead, the Toreros continued to battle stride-for-stride with them, trailing 47-43 at the end of the third quarter and won their second consecutive quarter.
- A 12-2 run for the Bulldogs to open the fourth quarter created the distance that Gonzaga needed to ultimately earn the victory.
- A late 8-0 run to cut the lead back to six fell gave San Diego some life, but the Toreros fell just short and a late three pointer from Kiera Oakry proved to be the final basket of the night.
TORERO TIDBITS
- The Toreros bench dominated the Gonzaga bench, outscoring them 25-5.
- San Diego capped off a terrific week of ball security, with both the Portland and Gonzaga resulting in seven turnovers apiece, good for the lowest total of the season.
UP NEXT
The Toreros will briefly break for the holiday season, but return home to host Saint Mary's on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 6 p.m., at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The game will be streamed via the WCC Network.
