The University of San Francisco women’s basketball team faced a tough challenge Thursday night, falling to Gonzaga 72-66 in a West Coast Conference overtime thriller at the War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. With this latest defeat, San Francisco’s record now stands at 13-8 overall and 6-4 in conference play.
The encounter was intense from the start, with Gonzaga building an early lead. By the end of the first quarter, they had established a 20-13 advantage. The Bulldogs continued to dominate, stretching their lead to 12 points, 25-13, midway through the second quarter. However, San Francisco mounted a spirited comeback, ending the first half with an impressive 11-1 run led by Michelle Ugwah, who contributed four points during the surge. The Dons managed to narrow the gap to just two points, trailing 26-24 at halftime.
Gonzaga bounced back in the third quarter, regaining a double-digit lead at 38-26. The Dons demonstrated their resilience, closing the quarter with a strong push to cut the deficit to five points, ending the period 45-40.
The fourth quarter saw San Francisco fight back to take the lead with just 13 seconds remaining, thanks to a fast-break layup from Meghan McIntyre that put the Dons ahead 62-60. Gonzaga quickly equalized to send the game into overtime. In the extra period, Gonzaga outperformed San Francisco, ultimately claiming a 74-66 victory.
San Francisco’s offense was well-rounded, featuring five players scoring in double digits. Candy Edokpaigbe led the team with 13 points, followed closely by Aina Cargol and Ugwah, who each added 11 points, while both Mara Neira and McIntyre contributed 10 points. Ugwah’s performance on the boards was particularly noteworthy, as she matched her season-high with eight rebounds, including four offensive boards.
Defensively, the Dons made a significant impact by limiting Gonzaga, known for their sharpshooting, to a mere 26.9 percent from beyond the arc.
The Dons will look to rebound as they head to Oregon State for their next matchup on Saturday, January 31, at 1:00 p.m. at Gill Coliseum.
For continued updates and information on the San Francisco women’s basketball program, fans are encouraged to follow the Dons on social media platforms. Merchandise and official team gear are also available for those wanting to show their support.