After falling 86-65 to the surging California Golden Bears yesterday, Coach Fortier appeared to agree with what I’ve been pondering after the final two video games. Regardless of there being no “I” in staff, Gonzaga is fighting two “I’s” on this staff: accidents and inexperience. Such is a recipe for the Bulldogs’ first house loss since 2022 and the tip of a 37-game house sport successful streak.
With Tayla Dalton, Esther Little, Lauren Whitaker, and, after all, Bree Salenbien, lacking from yesterday’s sport, the Bulldogs struggled mightily with their execution on each ends of the ground. The offense dedicated 24 turnovers, which allowed for 29 factors for the Golden Bears, whereas the protection couldn’t management a Cal offense that ended up scoring 40 factors within the paint and 33 factors from past the arc.
I’m not right here to deal with the negatives, however I do suppose it’s vital to focus on that there are simply two gamers who’ve expertise not simply enjoying for Coach Fortier, but additionally enjoying aggressive faculty basketball for something greater than spot protection minutes. That’s a tough place to be in for everybody concerned.
Yvonne and Maud are used to enjoying with others acquainted within the intricate nature of Gonzaga’s offensive sport plan. Ines and McKynnlie are proficient gamers accustomed to success, however struggling to establish the correct occasions to show their expertise. In the meantime, Allie, Christabel, Vera, and Ella have been thrust into the deep finish and are, for essentially the most half, working to search out their position within the staff.
Nonetheless, I feel Coach Fortier mentioned it finest throughout the post-game interview: “In the event you’re peaking in your third sport, you’re in hassle. And we’re not.” That being mentioned, not every little thing is on fireplace.
Allie Turner continues to point out off some wild expertise for a real freshman. With Esther Little inured, the Missouri native drew her first of doubtless many begins with Gonzaga and ended up enjoying 37 minutes throughout which she scored 20 factors, second highest on the staff, on 7-12 total capturing, 4-6 from three. She didn’t contribute with assists (1) or rebounds (1) the identical manner she did the primary two matchups nor did she enhance her turnovers (4), however Turner was one of many few vivid spots on Thursday.
Yvonne Ejim continues to face immense opposition defensive stress as she has to date this season, however she willed herself to 27 factors this matchup behind her 7-9 capturing contained in the arc and 10-13 free throw efficiency. Thursday’s efficiency exhibits that whereas this staff wants Ejim at her peak, they could want her management on the courtroom greater than her numerical contributions. That’s to not critique her efficiency, however one thing might want to change in relationship to the connection that the submit and perimeter gamers show throughout the sport as a result of one thing doesn’t look proper.
Maud Huijbens had a sport to overlook on the offense along with her single level on 0-6 capturing. Nonetheless, she did add a team-high 9 rebounds and 4 assists, which provides some hope for this staff, however Maud might want to work on nailing these bunnies and put-backs to assist this staff additional. I’m just a little involved about Huijbens main the staff in assists, however her continued involvement within the offense can be important to cowl the down durations displayed by the guards.
Talking in regards to the guards, Ines and Claire had a tough sport fulfilling their distribution duties as they mixed for 11 turnovers and 1 help. They did chip in 15 factors on 6-13 factors, however on an evening when the Bulldogs dedicated 24 turnovers resulting in 29 factors for Cal, I feel we have to see extra out of those two potential stars.
I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I’ll say it once more, I feel Christabel has superb potential. Nonetheless, I don’t suppose anybody on this workers envisioned her enjoying 18 minutes this early within the season and it’s doubtless solely the case because of the entire accidents beforehand talked about. I may embrace related feedback about Vera or Ella, however I’m specializing in Christabel as a result of she appears so uncooked but so superb on the similar time. I’m excited to see her get built-in into this squad.
Regardless of this loss, each us followers and the staff might want to bounce again rapidly as they play tomorrow within the Kennel at 4:00 PM EST in opposition to former Zag Peyton Muma and the Wyoming Cowgirls. The Pokes additionally sit at 1-2 with their solely win coming in opposition to Regis (69-57) and defeats coming in opposition to Colorado (50-56) and BYU (63-76). Tune in tomorrow to ESPN+ and take a look at our Zags.
Of notice, y’all higher be sporting your turquoise as tomorrow’s sport represents the N7 match.
