Dave Trimmer

The irresistible force meets the immovable object. In the second round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at the McCarthey Atheltic Center that means the Gonzaga offense and the UCLA defense, which collide tonight at 6:30.

Kelly Graves insists he is out of words to describe his sensational point guard, Courtney Vandersloot. The Gonzaga coach came through in the clutch Saturday after Vandersloot scored a career-high 34 points to go with 30 from Kayla Standish to carry Gonzaga to a 92-86 win over visiting Iowa in the first round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

For those who wondered what the Gonzaga women’s basketball team would do when faced with meaningful possessions down the stretch of a close game, the answer was revealed Saturday afternoon – give the ball to Courtney Vandersloot or Kayla Standish and get out of the way. With that duo taking turns making critical baskets, 11th-seeded Gonzaga edged sixth-seeded Iowa 92-86 Saturday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament before a sellout crowd of 5,632 fans at McCarthey Athletic Center.

For those who wondered what the Gonzaga women’s basketball team would do when faced with meaningful possessions down the stretch of a close game, the answer was revealed Saturday afternoon – give the ball to Courtney Vandersloot or Kayla Standish and get out of the way.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs don’t believe they are missing the NCAA experience by playing at home. “It’s a little bit different just because we’re not in a hotel. Just being around home we’re comfortable in here,” senior Courtney Vandersloot said. “Once you walk in here and see our gym has changed a little bit, it creates the NCAA environment.”

Iowa has experience against high-octane offenses orchestrated by highly regarded point guards, but it hasn’t always been a good experience. The third-highest scoring team in the Big Ten has eight losses, twice each to Penn State and Ohio State, the two highest-scoring teams in the conference, quarterbacked by the top two in assists.

Spokane Chiefs win in their final regular-season home game.

Before Carter Schick became everybody’s favorite teammate, and well before she became a crowd favorite at McCarthey Athletic Center, she almost altered the path the Gonzaga women’s basketball program. It was the day the walk-on went to weights with her new teammates for the first time and was asked by a superstar-to-be to spot her.

There is no joking about Carter Schick’s contribution to the team, even if some of it is as the team crack-up. As Bulldogs coach Kelly Graves said, “Somebody on every team has to fill that role; every team needs that carefree player.”

Just remember, Gonzaga is an 11 seed, which means the Bulldogs are probably going to be underdogs in every game they play in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Even if every game is in Spokane.

Just remember, Gonzaga is an 11 seed, which means the Bulldogs are probably going to be underdogs in every game they play in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Even if every game is in Spokane.

One word that mesmerized fans and vanquished foes wouldn’t expect to be associated with Gonzaga’s record-breaking point guard is “shy.” But when GU coach Kelly Graves suggested Courtney Vandersloot call up the greatest point guard in school history and ask him for help, “It took me a couple of weeks to build up,” she said. “I’m shy.”

One word that mesmerized fans and vanquished foes wouldn’t expect to be associated with Gonzaga’s record-breaking point guard is “shy.”

This was the kind of game the Spokane Chiefs try to take in stride and their fans go wild. There were a couple of milestone goals, including local favorite Tyler Johnson getting his 50th, and rival Tri-City was on the receiving end of a 5-1 whipping that assured the Chiefs would be no worse than the third seed from the Western Conference when the Western Hockey League playoffs open in two weeks.

A couple of milestones and a thrashing of the Tri-City Americans -- it doesn't get much better than that for the Spokane Chiefs.

Angie Bjorklund's storied career at Tennesse is rapidly coming to a close as the Lady Vols prepare for the NCAA tournament.