Bulldogs barrel into title game
SAN DIEGO – Gonzaga women’s basketball coach Kelly Graves hasn’t analyzed the data closely enough to know if his team has an NCAA tournament safety net and he doesn’t really care to find out.
The way he figures it, the Bulldogs eliminate any debate with one more win.
Gonzaga advanced to the WCC tournament title game with a decisive 81-64 victory over No. 5 Saint Mary’s on Saturday, hitting the Gaels with an early flurry that essentially decided the semifinal contest at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Top-seeded Gonzaga (24-7) has won eight straight and 16 of 17 – two of those over San Diego – entering today’s 1:30 championship game against the No. 3 Toreros (18-12), who eliminated No. 2 Santa Clara 72-66.
“I haven’t looked inside the numbers that much,” said Graves, whose team is pursuing its second straight tournament title. “We want to win the championship outright and then we don’t have to worry about anything else. This group has been really good, even given our youth and I think we’ve got to be the youngest team in the league, and they’ve really focused on one game at a time.”
Saint Mary’s (15-17) had GU’s undivided attention, particularly in the first 10 minutes. The Bulldogs hit their first four shots – two by Jami Bjorklund and one each by Michelle Elliott and Heather Bowman – to bolt in front 9-2. A 9-0 run moments later, including six points by Bowman, gave GU a 22-8 lead with the game less than 8 minutes old.
“Our whole mantra since Thursday’s game was we can’t make mistakes because Gonzaga will make you pay,” Saint Mary’s coach Paul Thomas said. “Whether it’s a defensive assignment or a missed block out, they’ll make you pay with a basket or a rebound. We let them get a lead in the first 5 minutes and we could never get over the hump.”
Elliott hit two 3s early and Tiffanie Shives hit two 3s late as GU’s lead grew to 19 before Saint Mary’s rallied within 42-28 at half. Gonzaga feasted on Gaels turnovers, which triggered the Bulldogs’ running game.
Bowman operated effectively inside, often against 6-foot-4 freshman Louella Tomlinson and occasionally against 6-6 Lindsay Ellis. Bowman finished with 26 points for the second straight tournament game and would have had more but several open looks from close range rimmed out.
“No,” said Bowman, when asked if taller opponents bother her. “I mean, I go against (6-4) Elaina Renius in practice every day. I just try to go around them and use my quickness and find other ways to score.”
The Bulldogs are seventh nationally in scoring offense, but it was their defense that fueled the early burst. Saint Mary’s had 15 turnovers, which led to 21 of GU’s 42 first-half points.
“When we can create turnovers, that’s when we’re at our best, when we’re allowed to get in the open court and run,” Graves said.
Gonzaga held All-WCC guard Jontelle Smith to one field and seven points – 10 less than her average. Bjorklund defended Smith early, but she picked up two quick fouls. Graves turned to 6-foot freshman Janelle Bekkering, who helped slow Smith.
Smith’s lone field goal came on a tough 6-footer in the first minute.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs had just four turnovers at the break and finished with nine in a high-possession game which they attempted 78 shots. Freshman point guard Courtney Vandersloot produced 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and had only two turnovers.