 Sophomore Sydney Gatson |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Ashley Burke (22) and Jessica Malone (21) combined for 43 points to lead Gonzaga to an 89-55 victory over Sacramento State in a non-conference women’s basketball game Wednesday evening in Hornet Gym.Burke’s 22 points came on 9-of-16 shooting, including a game-high 11 rebounds. With the victory, Gonzaga has now won six of its last seven games while improving to 8-5. Sacramento State dropped to 0-12 and has now lost 22-straight games over the last two seasons.
After a Kendra Yancey jumper put Sacramento State ahead, 2-0, Gonzaga ran off the next 10 points unanswered and never looked back. The Hornets would get no closer than within three points of the Bulldog lead the rest of the way as Gonzaga opened up a lead as large as 37 points during the second half.
Gonzaga shot 48.6 percent (36-74) from the floor and held the advantage over the Hornets in rebounding (51-37), assists (24-8) and steals (9-4). The Bulldogs also forced the Hornets into 21 turnovers and a 31.7 (20-63) field goal percentage. Gonzaga’s 51 rebounds was the most Sacramento State has allowed a team all season.
Malone’s 21 points came on 7-of-14 shooting, including a game-high five three-pointers. Triana Allen added nine points and 12 assists as a total of 11 Bulldogs worked their way into the scoring column.
The Hornets were led in scoring for the second-consecutive game by Kendra Yancey as the junior scored 18 points. Combined with her 28-point performance against Army, Yancey is now averaging 23 points per game over her last two contests.
Sacramento State point guard Sydney Gatson recorded career highs in both points (17) and rebounds (eight) as the sophomore scored 11 points in the second half. Gatson had never scored more than 10 points in a game prior to tonight’s effort. Alyson Thurman led the Hornets in rebounding (10) for the seventh-consecutive game as the sophomore is averaging 8.9 rebounds per game over that span.
Sacramento State closes the week in Moraga, Calif., this Saturday, Jan. 5, at Saint Mary’s. The Gaels have won all 10 meetings between the two teams since the Hornets joined the Div. I ranks in 1991.