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COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Zags give up big lead; WSU falls after long trip

| December 20, 2021 1:05 AM

From wire and news services

Gonzaga led by 17 points late in the first half, but UC Davis roared from behind in the second half to surprise the Zags 69-66 on Sunday before 726 at the University Credit Union Center in Davis, Calif.

Melody Kempton, a senior from Post Falls High, led Gonzaga (8-3) with 14 points. She also had six rebounds and two steals. Kempton now has 400 career rebounds at Gonzaga.

Yvonne Ejim scored 12 points, Kaylynne Truong 11 for the Bulldogs, Junior Kayleigh Truong, coming off an injury, recorded nine points and four assists in just 17 minutes of play.

Senior Abby O’Connor had a team-high seven rebounds and Kaylynne Truong led the team with five assists.

The Zags led 21-17 after the first quarter behind Kaylynne Truong’s eight points, including 2 for 2 from beyond the arc.

At the half, Gonzaga led 40-25 and outrebounded the Aggies 22-6.

In the fourth quarter, the Zags were held to eight points and went 1 for 13 from the field.

Gonzaga had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds as Ejim stole the ball with four seconds left, but a 3-point attempt from Kaylynne Truong fell just short.

Gonzaga shot 40.4 percent from the field.

Cierra Hall scored 22 points, Evanne Turner 20 for UC Davis (6-4).

Gonzaga plays at Eastern Washington on Tuesday.

Stony Brook 69, Washington State 62: At Stony Brook, N.Y., the Cougars playing the second game in a 24-hour stretch against teams that played in last season’s NCAA Tournament, battled the Seawolves throughout the afternoon.

The game featured 13 ties and five lead changes. The teams were tied at 57 after junior Grace Sarver of WSU (8-3) hit a 3-point field goal with 5:08 remaining in the game. Stony Brook scored 12 of the game’s final 17 points to hand the Cougars a seven-point defeat to close out WSU’s two-day, two-game cross-country trip.

The Cougs played at BYU in Provo, Utah on Saturday, then flew cross-country to play in New York on Sunday.

Sophomore Charlisse Leger-Walker scored a team-high 19 points, collected five rebounds, dished out five assists and added three steals for WSU.

Bella Murekatete, a junior from Genesis Prep Academy in Post Falls, had five points and 13 rebounds for WSU.

Senior Krystal Leger-Walker and junior Johanna Teder each scored nine points, while Sarver added seven points off the bench.

Earlette Scott scored 20 points for Stony Brook (9-1).

“I think it was a great situation for us to come here and play,” WSU coach Kamie Ethridge said. “I think it took us a while to get going, probably based (on the travel) we did. They made a few more game-winning plays than we did. We didn’t shoot the ball very well. I think the team that made more plays won the game. I’m not overly disappointed.”

WSU returns to action Dec. 31 at home vs. California.

Nevada 71, Eastern Washington 60: At Seattle, the Eagles (2-7) led 49-48 after three quarters before falling to the Wolf Pack (8-3) at the Husky Classic.

Jaydia Martin led Eastern with 18 points.

Da’Ja Hamilton led Nevada with 16 points.

EWU plays host to Gonzaga on Tuesday (6 p.m., SWX).