well, that was somewhat unexpected
The uncertainty of this current Zags squad has been the topic on my mind ever since the rosters were fully announced. With only about 34% of last year’s points returning and just 4 returning players, 5 if you count Bree, I had no idea what to think heading into Tuesday’s match against the Montana Lady Grizz.
Last season’s match resulted in an 83-70 point victory, although looking deeper revealed an up and down game marred by an 8 point second quarter and lifted by a 30 point fourth quarter. Kaylyne Truong lead the team in scoring with 19. Yvonne Ejim dropped 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 4 fouls in her 23 minutes while Maud Huijbens went for 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. It was an interesting match in the sense that the ‘23-24 squad was remarkable cohesive in minutes played together and they were coming off an incredibly fun looking Croatia tour so to have such an inconsistent start to the season was something to note.
Fast forward to Tuesday’s home match and the boxscore looks almost identical with the Zags winning, 82-69. Yvonne resumed her dominant form by notching her first double-double of the season with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Maud Huijbens stepped into the starting lineup and sported a nice line with her 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists.
The team also had an up and down performance, although I would venture to say that the overall level was better as evidenced by their 31 points in the first quarter, their lowest total coming in the fourth with 16 points. They never let Montana score more than 21, something last year’s talented roster couldn’t as they gave up 23 points in their fourth quarter.
Furthermore, the outcome of this game was never really in question unlike last year. This Gonzaga squad never let the Lady Griz within 10 points once they got past the three minute mark of the first quarter unlike the ‘23-24 team that essentially traded baskets across the entire third quarter and beginning of the fourth.
I bring up these comparisons not to proclaim that the ‘24-25 version of this team will surpass the accomplishments from ‘23-24, but to essentially highlight the following: this team has the potential to reach great heights.
Even with the absence of Tayla Dalton, someone I expect to play big minutes for this squad, and Lauren Whitaker, a player with some intriguing potential, this Zag group looked ready for their first test of the season. The play wasn’t perfect, particularly on the defensive communication leading to some breakdowns that left the paint open, but it’s unreasonable to expect this level of cohesion at this state in the year.
However, I think there are some nice building blocks here:
- Esther Little looked fierce running the top of a 3/4 court press. She didn’t have a pretty looking box score that includes 5 turnovers, 1 assist, and 1-4 shooting, but if she continue to show more aggression and involvement on that side of the floor, watch out.
- Ines Bettencourt finished second in scoring with 16 points, led the team in assists with 5, and committed just 2 turnovers in her 31 minutes. She carried herself on the floor like a true point guard, seemed to glide between the defenders, and looks like an athletic force, something very different to the Truong sisters.
- McKynnlie Dalan came off the bench in the first quarter and started dropping mid-range beauties like nothing. She went cold in the second half and only eight minutes as a result, but still managed to finish the game with 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in her 16 minutes.
- Allie Turner looked like she inherited Brynna Maxwell’s spiritual role as the long bomber as she finished with a team-high 18 points, including 5-8 from deep, while also grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists. She’ll have to clean up the turnovers, 4, but what an impressive debut from the Missouri native.
- Clair O’Connor had a rough game. She may have started, but she only played 23 minutes during which time she went for 3 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 turnover. The distribution numbers are nice, but she looked out of place to me. Maybe I’m wrong.
- Christobel Osarobo looks as bouncy and long as she did in her high school highlights. I’m definitely excited to watch her grow across the years in this program.
What did you think of the game? I know some of you commented in the open thread, but any thoughts after some digestion?
Next match is Sunday as the Zags travel to Stanford in a tough matchup that will be featured on ESPN2 starting at 3 PM EST (fine, I’ll use the stupid AM/PM!).