Gonzaga snaps long losing streak to Loyola

Gonzaga University broke a 27-match losing streak to Loyola Marymount that dated back to the 1992 season as it rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the visiting Lions 26-30, 30-26, 22-30, 30-24, 16-14 on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs improved to 7-16 overall and 2-6 in the West Coast Conference. LMU is 16-7, 4-4.

Junior Becky Jones led the Zags with 21 kills and 11 digs, and Emily Johnson had 15 kills.

Gonzaga will be back in action Saturday when Pepperdine visits Martin Centre.

“Junior Adetokunbo Faleti led all players with 18 kills, but Washington State fell to fourth-ranked UCLA 30-27, 30-28, 30-25 in Pac-10 play at Bohler Gym.

WSU fell to 14-10, 2-8 while UCLA moved to 22-1, 9-1.

Rachel Johnson led the Bruins with 14 kills and Nana Meriwhether had 13. Brittany Johnson added 12 kills for the Cougars.

“Stevie Mussie had 18 kills and 10 digs, and Christal Morrison had 17 kills and 21 digs as sixth-ranked Washington defeated fifth-ranked USC 30-18, 30-25, 27-30, 30-21 at Bank of America Arena in Seattle.

Jessica Swarbrick added 16 kills for the Huskies (18-3, 8-2).

UW will host conference leader UCLA today in Seattle. UCLA has two consecutive wins against the Huskies.

“Eastern Washington extended its winning streak to seven matches and moved into a tie with Northern Colorado for fourth place in the Big Sky Conference as it defeated Idaho State 30-16, 25-30, 30-22, 30-25 at Reese Court in Cheney.

Addie Webster led the Eagles (14-7, 6-5) with 23 kills and 20 digs, and Chrystal Johnson had 15 kills.

EWU will host first-place Sacramento State on Saturday.

“Cintia Alessi had 15 kills and nine digs to lead 10th-ranked North Idaho College past Snow 30-28, 30-18, 30-14 in a Scenic West Athletic Conference match at NIC.

Daidre Mendenhall added 13 kills and Lauren Stern 44 assists for the first-place Cardinals (29-6, 7-2), who lead Southern Idaho and Salt Lake by one-half game.

Snow is 17-16, 2-6.

Wrestling

Montana State-Northern grabbed a win in every match except four, including an 11-1 majority decision by Chris Smith (147 pounds) as it defeated North Idaho College 25-13 in a non-conference season opener at Havre, Mont.

North Idaho’s wins came from Heinrich Barnes, with a majority decision at 141 pounds; Dustin Fowler, with an 8-6 decision at 157 pounds; Spencer Butterfield, with a 7-4 victory at 184 pounds; and Rob Shaw, with a 6-2 win at 285 pounds.