Gonzaga Women's Basketball: The WCC Powerhouse

2/14/2025 12:09:26 PM, Avish

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Gonzaga Women's Basketball: The WCC Powerhouse

Gonzaga Women's Basketball has proven once again that they're the top on the West Coast Conference (WCC). With an 11-game winning streak to beat all historic winning streaks, the Bulldogs dominate the WCC standings and aiming for a new championship crown. Recent triumphs have cemented them to become a powerhouse with individual heroics making records and turning-point games charting their path to greatness.

Gonzaga Leads WCC Rankings

As of 2025-Feb, Gonzaga leads the WCC standings:

Team Overall Record WCC Record
Gonzaga 17-8 12-2
Portland 21-3 10-3
Washington State 15-11 10-5
Oregon State 13-13 9-6

Key Games & Defining Moments

A Close Loss to Oregon State

Possibly the toughest game of the season came on Dec. 28, 2024, vs. Oregon State. Gonzaga had a 61-49 margin of superiority with three minutes left but disintegrated in the final stages and lost 71-67 in overtime. It was another case of them failing to close out tight games, which they have tried to establish momentum about ever since.

Hard-Contested Win Over Washington State

In their most recent game vs. Washington State (February 2025), the Bulldogs grabbed a statement victory in a nine-lead change, ten-tie affair.

Gonzaga totaled just 12 turnovers, six fewer than its season average, displaying better ball control.

Their rebounding prowess was on full display, out-rebounding Washington State 54-32.

The physicality of the game was evident, with fewer fouls called, as if it were a postseason riot.

Star Players Making History

Allie Turner – The Freshman Sharpshooter

Quite possibly the best story of the year has been freshman guard Allie Turner, who has dominated the league. Turner has already made 72 three-pointers, which ranks her fifth in the country and tops all freshmen. She shattered the old Gonzaga freshman record (33 three-pointers) held by Courtney Vandersloot.

Ejim – Gonzaga's All-Time Leading Scorer

Senior forward Ejim solidified herself in Gonzaga history as the program's all-time leading scorer. She was selected as the WCC Player of the Week for the 14th time, demonstrating the consistency and leadership she provides on the court. Her dominance of the boards and capacity to garner additional possessions have been a game-changer for the Bulldogs.

Other Notable Players

  • Eleonora Villa (WSU) – Started 42 minutes in a recent game against Gonzaga.
  • Tara Wallack (WSU) – Veteran Washington State leader.
  • Astera Tuhina (WSU) – Demonstrated good resistance against Gonzaga.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

  • Elite 3-Point Shooting – Led by Allie Turner, Gonzaga has one of the WCC's strongest long-range shooting corps.
  • Dominant Rebounding – Out rebounded Washington State 54-32, a huge component of their recent victory.
  • Defensive Efficiency – Better defense, making it difficult for other teams to establish rhythm.

Weaknesses:

  • Turnovers – Improving, but need to decrease errors in high-leverage situations.
  • Closing Out Games – The Oregon State debacle highlighted the fact that they must finish games well in close games.

Path to the WCC Championship & NCAA Tournament

If Gonzaga is able to win the WCC championship, they will be seeded high in the NCAA Tournament. But before that, they need to overcome Portland and Oregon State. Their next games will decide how much seeding they will get for the tournament and if they can take the momentum to March Madness 2025.

Fun Facts & Trivia

  • Ejim chose not to pursue dual citizenship and is looking to play for Canada in the 2028 Olympics.
  • Lisa Fortier is also well-known for focusing on rebounding and defense, which defined Gonzaga's success.
  • Gonzaga ranks among the most fearsome mid-majors entering the NCAA Tournament.

Conclusion

Gonzaga Women's Basketball dominates the WCC, all-star players creating history, and margin-of-victory performances guiding their path. As postseason play on the horizon looms closer, everyone is eager to see if they can close out the regular season in flying colors and extend it all the way to March Madness 2025. With world-class shooting, tough defense, and record-shattering performances, this team is championship quality.

Tune in as Gonzaga attempts to get another WCC championship and NCAA tourney season in the books for their rich tradition!