Career nights by Melody Kempton and Yvonne Ejim paced the Zags in their first game back since mid-December as Gonzaga beat the Portland Pilots, 76-65.
From the beginning, it looked like both squads were feeling the rust of their respective COVID pauses. Portland hadn’t played a game Dec. 20, one day longer than the Zags last go round on Dec. 21.
Although the two teams shot well, both combined for 10 fouls and 11 turnovers in the first half. Lazy passes and fouls 90 feet away from the hoop peppered the first 10 minutes of play, with the Pilots taking a 16-12 lead off a buzzer-beating three by Maddie Muhlheim.