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.