Gonzaga Women Extend Winning Streak with Meaningful Pink Game Victory

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Gonzaga women’s basketball team celebrated their annual Pink Game with a 69-57 victory over Loyola Marymount on Saturday, securing their 13th consecutive win and honoring the fight against cancer.

This year’s event held special significance for head coach Lisa Fortier, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last season. After undergoing treatment, Fortier became cancer-free during the offseason and continues to lead the Zags without missing any games. The team wore pink warm-up shirts bearing the messages “#Because It’s Personal” and “Fortier” to show their support.

The Zags showcased a dominating performance on the boards, outrebounding LMU 51-27, including 20 offensive rebounds. Gonzaga recorded 18 assists, seven steals, and four blocks, forcing 11 turnovers that contributed to 11 points from LMU’s mistakes.

Despite the setback of turning the ball over 11 times in the first half and trailing by as many as seven points early, Gonzaga rallied in the second half. They scored 44 points in the final quarters, outpacing LMU and taking a lead as large as 18 points.

Yvonne Ejim led all scorers with 16 points, extending her streak of double-digit games to 69. Freshman Allie Turner contributed 14 points, while Maud Huijbens added 12 off the bench. Gonzaga’s bench players combined for an impressive 30 points compared to just two points from LMU’s bench.

Gonzaga shot 41.2% from the field and hit seven free throws, maintaining a perfect 7-for-7 from the line. After a sluggish start, they found their rhythm and improved from the 3-point line, finishing with a 35.3% clip.

Loyola Marymount struggled offensively, shooting only 36.7% from the field and under 30% from beyond the arc. They had three players reach double figures but could not keep pace with Gonzaga’s scoring surge.

Gonzaga’s record now stands at 19-8 overall and 14-2 in the West Coast Conference (WCC). They are one win away from securing a coveted double bye in the upcoming conference tournament, a remarkable achievement given the challenges they faced this season.

“Credit to our players for pushing through the early struggles and finding their energy in the second half,” Fortier noted. “Rebounding was crucial for us, and we can build on our transition offense as we move forward.”

Gonzaga is set to host Saint Mary’s on Thursday, looking to extend their winning streak to 14 games.