Box Score SPOKANE, Wash. – Closing out their four-game road trip, the Pacific women's basketball team could not fully find their rhythm offensively on Monday night, falling to No. 21 Gonzaga, 79-59, at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- For the third time in five games this season, senior Lianna Tillman scored the first points of the contest for the Tigers on a layup at 8:45 in the opening quarter, cutting the Gonzaga lead in half, 4-2.
- Helping Pacific keep pace, sophomore Sam Ashby remained hot from deep, nailing a triple as UOP remained within one, 10-9, midway through the period at 4:55.
- Staying on the heels of the Zags, freshman Liz Smith knocked down her first shot of her collegiate career on a three-pointer with 30 seconds left in the first quarter. Despite one last basket from Gonzaga, the Tigers only trailed by six, 22-16, heading into the second.
- Scoring 5 of her 11 points on the night in the middle of the second, senior Valerie Higgins kept the Tigers close on a three with 6:03 on the clock, but the Bulldogs still lead 32-23.
- Doing her part, sophomore Cassidy Johnson netted her first basket of the season on a layup with 17 seconds left in the second quarter. Ultimately, Pacific went into the locker room trailing at halftime, 44-28.
- Struggling to find momentum on offense out of the break, the Tigers would only score 11 total points in the third quarter, but also kept within striking distance on free throws by redshirt freshman Rosie Schweizer and redshirt junior Savannah Whitehead to close the quarter. At the end of the three, Gonzaga remained on top, 54-39.
- Showing her strength, senior Brooklyn McDavid converted on an and-one at 8:26, as Pacific aimed for one last comeback in the fourth, down 60-41.
- Finding her stride from behind-the-arc, junior Kaylin Randhawa cashed in on her second three of the night at 3:35. Despite a few final baskets from Schweizer and Smith down the stretch, Gonzaga would hold on to secure their 21st straight home victory, 79-59.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
- Shooting 3-of-6 overall from the field including two from downtown, Randhawa was named the Hardworking Player of the Game after finishing with season highs in points (10), rebounds (2), assists (2) and steals (1).
- Continuing her streaks, Higgins notched 11 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals for the Tigers. Dominating no matter the opponent, the Granada Hills native has scored in double figures and grabbed at least four rebounds in all five games that Pacific has played this season.
- Logging 20 minutes in the contest, Smith contributed off the bench for the Tigers, knocking down two triples and a free-throw (7 points total) while also dishing out two assists.
UP NEXT:
Pacific will return home to the Alex G. Spanos Center for the first time since their Dec. 15 season opener when they host San Francisco this Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7:00 pm. Looking ahead, the Tigers will also welcome Santa Clara on Saturday, Jan. 2 for a matchup at 2:00 pm before heading back out on the road next week.
FOLLOW US:
For more updates and more information on the 2020-21 Pacific women's basketball team, be sure to follow @Pacific_Hoops on Twitter, @pacificwbb on Instagram and @PacificWomensBasketball on Facebook.
