Rice, Stockton lead No. 15 Gonzaga women to 74-61 win

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Zykera Rice scored 15 points and Laura Stockton added 13 while moving into third place on No. 15 Gonzaga’s career assist list and the Bulldogs defeated Santa Clara 74-61 on Thursday night.

Jenn Wirth added 12 for the Bulldogs (24-3, 13-2 West Coast Conference), who bounced back after their second two-point loss to BYU this season. Stockton had seven assists, giving her 446 and moving her ahead of Amy Simpson.

Naomi Jimenez gave Santa Clara a 20-19 lead with the first points of the second quarter, but Leeanne Wirth had consecutive baskets for the Zags. Lexie Pritchard pulled the Broncos even with a 3-pointer, but Chandler Smith answered with a 3-pointer for Gonzaga to start an 11-0 run. Jen Wirth had a 3-point play and the last basket of the run. Gonzaga led 38-27 at the half.

A 12-2 run in the third quarter put the Bulldogs in control.

Rice had nine rebounds and Jenn Wirth eight as GU, which won the first meeting 78-61, had a 41-31 advantage on the boards.

Ashlyn Herlihy had 13 points for the Broncos (11-15, 4-11) and Tia Hay added 12.