Bulldogs take command in first half

After a sluggish start, Gonzaga broke away with a 28-5 burst to take a commanding 46-23 halftime lead. Those 28 points came in a 7:30-minute flurry, fueled by Santa Clara turnovers.

At one point, Gonzaga’s two leading scorers, Courtney Vandersloot and Heather Bowman, were 0 of 6 as the Broncos kept it close through the first nine minutes. But Bowman got rolling with a post-up layin and Vandersloot broke loose for seven points, four rebounds and three assists. Bowman finished the half with 8 points. Vivian Frieson had eight points, four rebounds and two steals.

GU piled up an 19-2 advantage in points off turnovers and 14-4 edge in second-chance points. Santa Clara’s Lena Gipson, who came in averaging 12.5 points, was held scoreless and picked up her third foul with 8:48 left.

Gonzaga made 5 of its first 16 shots, but finished the half 20 of 40.

Back after the game.