COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Gonzaga holds off Montana in opener

From news services

SPOKANE — Gonzaga freshman Allie Turner scored 18 points in her college debut, hitting five 3-pointers, grabbing six rebounds and having six assists in the Bulldogs’ 82-69 win over the Montana Grizzlies in the season-opener for both teams before 4,952 at the McCarthey Athletic Center on Tuesday.

Fifth-year forward Yvonne Ejim recorded her 26th career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds for Gonzaga, which has won 37 straight games at home, the second-longest streak in the nation.

Avery Waddington, a freshman from Lake City High, had a team-high 13 points for Montana in her college debut. Waddington also had five rebounds and three steals in 20:51. Tyler McCliment-Call, who played her freshman and sophomore seasons at Post Falls High, had two points and an assist for Montana.

In the first half, Gonzaga had a lead as large as 25 and went on a 10-0 run to take a 49-30 lead going into halftime. Three Zags scored in double figures including Ines Bettencourt with 10, Ejim with 12 and McKynnlie Dalan with 11.

The Zags shot 62.5% from the floor and held Montana to 50%. From beyond the arc, GU shot 60% and with five different Bulldogs making a three.

Gonzaga outrebounded the Griz 15-8 in the first half with Ejim grabbing a team-high five.

In the second half, Gonzaga maintained its lead the entire way with Turner scoring a team-high 12 points in the final 20 minutes.

Along with Turner and Ejim, Inês Bettencourt (16 points), Maud Huijbens (14 points), and McKynnlie Dalan (12) scored in double figures.

Overall, Gonzaga shot 49% from the floor and 69% from the three-point line. Gonzaga also won the rebound battle, 37-21, and forced 14 turnovers from the Griz.

Gonzaga travels to Stanford on Sunday.

Montana hosts Southeastern (Fla.) on Sunday.