LAS VEGAS, Nev., – No. 23 Gonzaga took a 40-26 lead into the half before pulling away over the final two quarters in an 87-57 win over the University of North Alabama women's basketball team Monday in the final game of the South Point Arena Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas. With the loss, UNA falls to 1-7 on the season and returns to Flowers Hall next week for one more non-conference game before opening ASUN play in January.
On Monday, UNA faced an early 17-2 deficit before playing even with the Zags over the next quarter and a half. A three-point basket by Olivia Noah at the first quarter buzzer made the score 24-12 before another trey by Jaila Roberts early in the second period cut the deficit to single digits.
The two teams traded scores down the stretch until Gonzaga got consecutive baskets in the final minute of the half to stretch the lead. After a driving layup by Roberts made the score 36-26 with 1:16 remaining, the Zags answered with a putback on the ensuing possession. Following a stop on defense, another basket gave Gonzaga the 14-point advantage at the break.
Gonzaga shot 70 percent in the third quarter to break the game open, going 14-of-20 from the floor, including a trio of three-pointers. UNA had six different players hit one shot each in the frame.
The Zags opened the second half on a 14-2 run and stretched the lead to 54-28 before a three-pointer by Alexis Callins gave UNA its first field goal of the period. The lead reached 30 in the closing minute of the quarter and Gonzaga took a 73-44 lead into the final stanza.
The Lions closed the gap to 24 on a three-pointer by Jaida Bond with 3:21 remaining. UNA, however, would not hit another shot from the floor.
Roberts led all scorers on the night with a game-high 15 points for the Lions. White reached double figures for the fourth straight game with 11 points while Bond rounded out UNA's top scorers with 10 points.
UNA will host Chattanooga on Dec. 29. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Flowers Hall. The Lions will open ASUN Conference play with back-to-back home games against FGCU Jan. 2-3. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. each day.
