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Women's Basketball Strong In Exhibition Win Over Whitman
Nov. 2, 2008
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University women's basketball squad opened its two-game exhibition season with a 77-43 win over Whitman College Sunday afternoon in the McCarthey Athletic Center. Eleven of 13 Bulldog players scored in the victory for GU, including three players who finished in double-digits. "Overall, I was very pleased with our effort today," stated ninth-year head coach Kelly Graves." A lot of players saw a lot of minutes and it was good to see everybody produce in the first game of the season. We need to continue to improve on all aspects of the game and tonight was a solid first game for us." The Bulldogs were led by junior Vivian Frieson who nearly posted a double-double with a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds. Frieson also blocked two shots and made one steal in 23 minutes of action. "Vivian had a good night for us; she played well on both ends. She has improved her athleticism and had solid first night," said Graves. Frieson, along with sophomore Janelle Bekkering paced Gonzaga to a quick 15-2 lead five minutes into the contest. Frieson and Bekkering combined for 13 of the Zags 15 points, with sophomore Courtney Vandersloot scoring the other two. Eight players scored in the opening half to help propel the Bulldogs to a 41-18 advantage at halftime, including three freshmen who saw significant minutes in the opening half. Freshman forward Kayla Standish, playing nine minutes for GU, scored six points on 3-of-6 shooting from the floor, and added four rebounds, one block and one steal. Australian freshman Kelly Bowen and Shannon Reader from Oswego, Ore., also contributed for the Zags.
"I was pleased with both of Kayla and Kelly's efforts," said Graves. "They showed some good things on both ends of the floor. It was good to get them out into game situations and we are happy with what they did today. It was a good first day for them." Gonzaga shot 39.5 percent in the first half on 17-for-43 and finished the game at 38.3 percent on 31-for-81 after hitting 14-of-38 in the second stanza. Whitman, who is Division III and plays in the Northwest Conference, shot 24.0 percent in the first half, hitting 6-of-25 and finished the game shooting 26.4 percent. The Bulldogs won the battle of the boards against the Missionaries 61-30. Gonzaga nearly had more offensive boards as Whitman had overall rebounds as it finished with 29. The Zags scored 28 points off the Missionaries 26 turnovers, had 14 fast-break baskets and scored 44 of their points in the paint. The only small struggle GU did have during the game was turning the ball over 17 times. Besides Frieson, Standish and Vandersloot finished with double-figure points for Gonzaga. Standish had 12 points, along with seven rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal and Vandersloot added 10 points, three assists, three steals and three rebounds. The Missionaries were led by Jenele Peterson with 12 points on 4-for-10 shooting. Michelle Krall added eight points and Rebecca Sexton finished with six. Gonzaga's final tune-up before regular-season begins is Saturday, Nov. 8 against Concordia University at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. |
