Box Score (Spokane) -
Rheina Ale scored a team-high 16 points and
Taj Winston added 14 as the San Francisco women's basketball team dropped a 87-52 decision to No. 22/23 Gonzaga at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Wash. The Dons, who struggled offensively in the first half, held their own in the second scoring just five less points than the Zags.
San Francisco (3-15, 1-4 West Coast Conference) was held scoreless in the opening 4:14 of the game, as the Zags (15-2, 4-0 WCC) jumped out to a 10-2 lead at 15:46. The Zags' Kayla Standish scored all 10 Gonzaga points during the span. The Bulldogs continued the strong lead, holding the Dons to 16 points in the opening half. Gonzaga led 46-16 at halftime.
The Dons posted a stronger second half. Over the final 20 minutes, the Zags outscored the Bulldogs 41-36. San Francisco shot 41.4 percent in the second stanza, while the Zags hit 17-of-36 to shoot at a 47.2 percent clip. Ale posted 14 of her 16 points in the second stanza, going 4-for-9 from the field.
Winston posted her second straight double-digit scoring effort thanks to her even efforts Thursday. The freshman led the Dons with eight points in the first half while adding six in the second. Winston also pulled down six rebounds.
Aundrea Gordon finished just shy of double-digits with nine points – all coming in the second half.
Vania Singleterry led the USF defensive efforts with seven rebounds, six of which were defensive.
Standish led Gonzaga with 20 points and nine rebounds. The Zags' Haiden Palmer posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.
San Francisco will now travel to Portland to face the Pilots Saturday. Tip-off at the Chiles Center is scheduled for 2 p.m.
