Jan. 8, 2004
Box Score
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga Bulldogs accomplished something tonight they have not done in eight years--beat Pepperdine.
For 19 consecutive games the Waves have walked away with victories over the Bulldogs dating back to the 1994-95 season where Pepperdine fell 63-64. While the `Zags performance tonight was nothing short of spectacular, Pepperdine's faulty shooting and turnovers proved detrimental early in the game as the Waves fell 75-44 at The Kennel on Thursday night.
With the loss, Pepperdine falls to 6-8 and 0-1 in the West Coast Conference (WCC) opener, while Gonzaga improves to 8-6, 1-0.
The Bulldogs were led by four players who scored in double figures, beginning with Ashley Burke who accounted for 17 points, including 15 in the first half. Rachel Kane tallied 10 rebounds and Shannon Mathews added 13 points, seven assists, and four steals.
Kelli Spencer paced the Waves with 10 points, while Nicole Funn pitched in seven points and nine rebounds. Shandrika Lee was the only Pepperdine player to turn in an all-around performance as she had seven points, five rebounds, six assists, and zero turnovers.
Early in the game, the Waves jumped out to a 13-12 advantage with 13:52 on the clock when Lee completed the first of the team's five total 3-pointers. This would be the last time Pepperdine would stay close in the match, as a Burke jumper sparked a 32-7 Bulldog run and the `Zags raced into the locker room ahead 46-20.
In the first half, the Bulldogs completed an outstanding 52.9 percent (18-34) of their shots while holding the Waves to just 22.2 percent (6-27). The only positive for Pepperdine was the team completed 100.0 percent of its free throws (7-7) in the first period. The Blue and Orange never went to the foul line again for the remainder of the game.
Things only got messier in the second half as Gonzaga wasted no time getting out to a 37 point lead (63-26) with 12:11 left in the game. The closest the game got was 27 points (66-39) at 6:22 and Gonzaga skipped to an easy 75-44 victory at home.
For the game, Pepperdine shot 25.0 percent and managed a season low 16 field goals. The Bulldogs controlled every statistical category with ease and scored more 3-pointers (7) than any other team did against the Waves this season.
The Waves continue their Pacific Northwest tour when they travel to Portland on Saturday night beginning at 7:00 p.m. The LMU/Portland game was postponed Thursday night due to inclement weather, but the Pepperdine/Portland game is still scheduled as of press time.
