:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65951182/Screen_Shot_2019_12_20_at_8.33.56_PM.0.png)
Jenn Wirth had 14 points and eight rebounds to lead the 17th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 64-52 non-conference home win over 20th ranked Missouri State. It was just the second time in McCarthey Athletic Center history that two women’s teams ranked in the top 20 squared off with one another in the regular season.
Gonzaga finishes their non-conference slate at 11-1 for the second straight year. And for the second straight year, that one loss came at the hands of the top ranked team in the nation (Stanford in overtime). They start West Coast Conference play on December 29.
Jill Townsend (@jtown_32) shows the Lady Bears who is in charge!
— SWXRightNow (@SWXRightNow) December 21, 2019
Towsend rips the ball away from Missouri State's, Abby Hipp. The Zags pull away late in the third quarter, putting them in a double digit lead.
SCORE: 45-32 BULLDOGS#GoZags #UnitedWeZag @ZagWBB pic.twitter.com/X8PEKui3AI
Last year, Gonzaga upended the Lady Bears, on the road, 70-67. Missouri State reached the Sweet 16 a season ago. On Friday night, it was a bit easier. They held a five-point lead at halftime before their 22-12 third quarter outburst put the game out of reach. Like usual, the Bulldogs’ depth and defense were on display. Nine different Zags had a bucket, they forced 20 turnovers, and held Missouri State to 34 percent shooting.
Katie Campbell notched 11 points and three steals. Jill Townsend struggled from the field, but added nine rebounds and a pair of assists to her eight points. Melody Kempton, stat-stuffer extraordinaire, added eight points, six rebounds and two blocks.