Women's basketball analysis

In an attempt to expand my journalistic abilities, I covered the Gonzaga Women's basketball game against the University of San Francisco Dons.

The Gonzaga Women’s basketball team faced off against the University of San Francisco Dons and walked away with a 74-47 win. Undefeated in their conference, the Zags defended their title as No. 1 in the WCC.

Having home court advantage, the Zags were fueled by the crowds roaring support as the Dons continued to push against their lead. For 37 minutes the Dons trailed behind the Zags, and for 37 minutes the Dons played with resilience.

Despite their resilience, the Zags preserved and maintained their lead.  

Here’s five takeaways from today’s game.

Timeout

Both the Dons and the Zags began the game struggling. In the first five minutes the Zags shot 31.6 percent from the field and zero percent beyond the arc. The Don’s shot 15.4 percent of their field goals and one out of five 3-pointers.

During the first quarter USF called a timeout and minutes later the Zags came back a completely different team. 

“We, of course, use those opportunities to get them riled up, you want to come out of a timeout and do your best,” said head coach Lisa Froteir. “It’s exciting when another team has to call a timeout and [we] come out and score on them.” 

Turning their game around, the Zags came back to shoot 52.9 percent from the field and 57.1 percent beyond the arc in the second quarter. 

Making shot after shot, the Zags kept their momentum going throughout the rest of the game.

Disruptive Defense

In this first play of the game, the Zags nearly forced a shot clock violation — with one second left, the Don’s nicked the rim which was quickly rebounded by the Zags. This foreshadowed how the rest of the game would be played for GU: with tough and relentless defense.

“We got a lot of defensive stops,” Emma Stach said. “I’m really proud of my team.”

For the rest of the game, the Dons fought for every shot, pass and play.

The Zag’s disruptive defense resulted in the 16 steals 20 force turnovers, which result in 24 points for the Zags.

Rebounds

The Zags outplayed USF on rebounding. The Zags got 17 offensive rebounds and 33 defensive rebounds, for a total of 50 rebounds. Whereas, the Dons were only able to get a total of 37 rebounds.

Patience/ Teamwork

Pass. Pass … Pass. Pass … Pas-pass. Shoot. Swish. 

Seeming unafraid of the shot clock, the Zags exhibited great patience with their plays. Fearlessly moving the ball to player to player, the Zags took each shot with care waiting for the correct opening.

Laura Stockton passes to Emma Stach, Stach to Zykera Rice, Rice to Jessie Loera, Loera back to Stach where Stach downs a 3, with nothing but net.

A frequent play made many times by the Zags, this exhibit of patience is how their shooting percentages increased in the second and third quarters. This is how they maintained their lead and separated their game from the Dons. 

Emptying the Roster

Throughout the game, the Kennel saw the performance of each and every eligible player on the Zag’s roster.

“We have so many people we can play, I think from top to bottom we have a very talented roster,” Forteir said, “They’re diverse and can score in different ways, they can defend in different ways and do different things for our team. 

Coming off the bench in the first quarter Jill Townsend executed a key play that fueled the Zag’s fire, after a shaky start.

Following Townsend, Loera, Jenn and LeeAnne Wirth and Katie Campbell made key play throughout the game, showing that the Zag’s roster is staked.

Loera had an exemplary performance throughout the game, which resulted in her being named the player of the game. 

“She’s … a jitterbug, sparkplug, anything that keeps moving, that’s what she is,” said Fortier.

She executed two back-to-back forced turnovers that resulted in 4 fast break points to add to her total of 15 points, five defensive rebounds, nine assists and four total blocks.

“I look for the open player, open shot and we do what we can to win,” Loera said. “ We play well together as a team, I couldn’t do any of it without my own teammates.”

Up next, the Zags will travel to Moraga, California to take on Saint Mary’s on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

This story was published for the Gonzaga Bulletin. For the original post, click here.