Jan. 24, 2002

Box Score

Sixteenth ranked Gonzaga used a 15-2 run early in the second half to take a 67-52 lead and coasted to a 93-73 win over USF Thursday night in Spokane. The Bulldogs won their 22nd straight home game paced by 21 points by Blake Stepp, 19 points by Dan Dickau and 17 by Zack Gourde. The Dons were paced by Hondre Brewer, Shamell Stallworth and Tayo Akinsete who each scored 14 points.

Dons' star Darrell Tucker, who had entered the game with five consecutive double-doubles, recorded just eight points and six rebounds before fouling out.

The Dons lost the game on the glass, being outrebounded 49-28 and let Gonzaga shoot 48.6% for the game.

"We came into the game hoping to handle them on the glass, but obviously we did not do that," said Dons' coach Phil Mathews. "We played good defense on the first shot, but when you give up 19 offensive rebounds, you rarely win. With the exception of the boards I thought we played a good game."

USF trailed just 46-44 after a see-saw first half. USF shot almost 57% from the floor prior to intermission, but Gonzaga neutralized that by outrebounding the Dons 20-10. Dons' leading scorer and rebounder Darrell Tucker left the first period early with foul trouble, but Shamell Stallworth came off the bench for 12 first half points.

Coach Mathews changed the starting lineup for the contest inserting senior forward Eugene Brown into the lineup instead of guard Shamell Stallworth. John Cox moved from the forward slot to a guard position. Gonzaga entered the week tied for third nationally in rebound margin.

The Dons next travel to Portland for a Saturday night game the will be televised live on KRON, with a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.

Gonzaga is off to its best start ever with a 17-3 record, and they have won 21 straight home games. The Zags have a 124-9 record at home over the past 10 seasons and are 39-1 over the past four seasons at home.