SPOKANE, Wash. -- Playing for the third time in five days, the USF Dons women's basketball team (12-12, 6-6) fell on the road Monday night to the Gonzaga Bulldogs (18-5, 9-1) 55-49 in a hard fought and low scoring affair. The Dons put together a great first half of play as their stifling defense made life difficult throughout the first 20 minutes of play.
USF got off to a strong start in the first 10 minutes of play as they played hard defense and made life difficult for the Bulldogs offense as they forced six Gonzaga turnovers to lead 11-7 after the first quarter.
The offensive malaise for both teams continued in the second quarter of play as Gonzaga was able to slightly cut into USF's early lead but the Dons went to the locker room holding the 22-20 lead over the Bulldogs.
Gonzaga made an abbreviated run in the third quarter as they extended their lead to as many as five, and entered the final quarter with the 36-34 lead.
USF fought hard until the final horn, including taking a three point lead late in the final minutes before the Zags pulled away for the 55-49 victory at the McCarthey Athletic Center.