Gonzaga prepares to battle Stanford in key early-season showdown:- On Sunday in Palo Alto, California, Gonzaga women’s basketball will play Stanford in its second non-conference game of the 2024-25 season.
Gonzaga prepares to battle Stanford in key early-season showdown
The West Coast Conference preseason surveys placed GU (1-0) first, ahead of Washington State and Portland. Stanford (2-0) was seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference behind Notre Dame, NC State, and Duke.
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The Bulldogs and Cardinals have played 15 times since 2009. In their previous 15 games versus Stanford, GU is 3-12. The Zags defeated the Cardinal 96-78 in December 2023, a historic win for the program.
This time against the Cardinal, GU hopes to reclaim its luck. Zags are 1-0 in 24-25. GU won its first exhibition game against the College of Idaho 79-39 at home on November 1. Next, the Zags defeated Montana 82-69 at home in their season opening on November 5.
According to head coach Lisa Fortier, the Zags played well offensively and defensively against Montana.
“I liked sharing the ball.” Fortier said. “We did well with that. We rebounded well. I felt we did several defensive assignments well.”
Cardinals are 2-0 in nonconference. On October 30, Stanford defeated Cal State LA 91-70 in an exhibition game. On Nov. 4, Cardinal defeated Le Moyne 107-43. Most recently, it defeated erstwhile conference rival Washington State 94-65 on Nov. 7.
In GU’s win over Montana, freshman guard Allie Turner led the scoring with 18 points. After her, fifth-year forward Yvonne Ejim and junior guard Inês Bettencourt scored 17 and 16, respectively.
With six defensive rebounds, Ejim is the team’s best defender. Due to her outstanding defense, sophomore guard Claire O’Connor leads the team with three steals.
Watch Stanford senior guard Elena Bosgana, who averaged 19 points and 12 defensive rebounds in her past two games. Nunu Agara, a sophomore forward, averages 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Stanford shot better than the other team, shooting 53.8% from the field, 59.3% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line. For comparison, GU shoots 49.2% from the field, 52.4% from three, and 68.8% from free.
Ejim suggested their defense, especially given Stanford’s ability to shoot around the three-point line.
We do a terrific job scouting and guarding the three in practice and our strategy. Ejim stated. I think sticking to those fundamentals, knowing who we’re defending, understanding who we are as defenders, and knowing that everyone will help each other will help us control the 3-point line.”
Fortier notes personnel contrasts between Stanford and Montana.
“There are some similarities to Stanford in terms of actions, but the staff is very different.” Fortier said. “We’ve spent the last few days trying to figure out what we can take from it. I think that tightens things.”
Stanford lost significant players from last season, including Cameron Brink and KiKi Iriafen. Both former First Team All-WCC Tess Heal and Mary Ashley Stevenson are outstanding Cardinal transfers that GU should watch.
“I think being dynamic inside and out has still been kind of their identity.” Of the Cardinal, Ejim said. I don’t think anything changes. Sort of new staff, but still Stanford. I think showing up to every game with that approach will help us defend anyone.”
Sunday’s 12:00 tipoff between GU and Stanford will be on ESPN2.