In a game where neither team shot over 33% from the field, Gonzaga women’s basketball (15-7, 7-2) pulled out an overtime victory on the road against San Francisco (13-8, 6-4) Thursday night. Despite being in control for most of the contest, the Bulldogs found themselves down a possession in the final minute of regulation, needing timely efforts from several players to secure the win.

To start, Lauren Whittaker, the reigning WCC Freshman of the Week for the sixth straight time – and ninth this season – shot 1-for-8 from the floor in the first half. Paired with forgettable contributions from fellow forwards Jaiden Haile and Taylor Smith, who were a combined 0-of-11 on field goals, GU’s frontcourt had one of its worst nights of the season from a production standpoint. Smith, who has started every game for the Zags this season, didn’t play much of the fourth quarter and overtime period, while the freshman Haile had a costly turnover that nearly led to a Dons game-winner in the final seconds of the fourth, although she did grab a game-high 13 rebounds.

With the score knotted at 60 in regulation, Haile received the ball at the free throw line and was wide open for a potential go-ahead jumper. Perhaps her poor shooting night deterred her from taking the shot, as Haile instead opted for an entry bounce pass to a double-covered Whittaker on the block. The ball was taken by Megan McIntyre, who drove the other way for a go-ahead fast-break layup with 13.7 seconds to go.