SPOKANE, Wash. — The Gonzaga women came into Thursday night's matchup with Rice on a high note after a 62-51 win over Wyoming last Sunday, and they came out ready. They opened the game on an 8-2 run behind five points from Claire O'Connor. She was 3-4 in the first quarter and 2-2 from three.
However, the Owls tightened things up in the second quarter. Hailey Adams finished the game with 20 points and nine rebounds, and was a big difference-maker, allowing the Owls to grab their first lead of the game in the second quarter, 28-27. Yvonne Ejim hit a tough last-second shot to end the first half and give Gonzaga a 31-30 lead.
It was back and forth until the last three minutes of the fourth quarter. Another three from O'Connor put the Zags up 67-64, and a jumper from Ejim increased the lead 69-64 to bury Rice and come away with a 72-69 win.
O'Connor finished the night with 19 points and ten rebounds, her first career double-double. Ejim had her 28th career double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
The Gonzaga women kick off a five-game road trip starting at New Mexico on Sunday at noon.
