SPOKANE, Wash. -- Playing for the third time in five days, the USF Dons women's basketball team (12-12, 6-6) fell on the road Monday night to the Gonzaga Bulldogs (18-5, 9-1) 55-49 in a hard fought and low scoring affair. The Dons put together a great first half of play as their stifling defense made life difficult throughout the first 20 minutes of play.

Kennedy Dickie led the way for USF with 21 points, nine rebounds and two assists against the Bulldogs, while Ioanna Krimili contributed 12 points, four rebounds and four assists Monday night at the McCarthey Athletic Center. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• USF got off to a strong start in the first 10 minutes of play as they played hard defense and made life difficult for the Bulldogs offense as they forced six Gonzaga turnovers to lead 11-7 after the first quarter.
• The offensive malaise for both teams continued in the second quarter of play as Gonzaga was able to slightly cut into USF's early lead but the Dons went to the locker room holding the 22-20 lead over the Bulldogs.
• Gonzaga made an abbreviated run in the third quarter as they extended their lead to as many as five, and entered the final quarter with the 36-34 lead.
• USF fought hard until the final horn, including taking a three point lead late in the final minutes before the Zags pulled away for the 55-49 victory at the McCarthey Athletic Center. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Dickie led the way for USF throughout the game as she scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds against the Bulldogs, while also knocking down five three point shots against a team that allows the lowest three-point percentage in the WCC.
• Krimili was the Dons' second leading scorer with 12 points to go along with four rebounds, three steals and two assists at Gonzaga.

UP NEXT:
The Dons continue their two game road trip as they will venture 90 minutes east of campus to take on the Pacific Tigers (5-16, 2-8) in Stockton on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. It'll be the second matchup between the two schools this season as USF took the first game at home 88-71. 

TICKETS AND MERCHANDISE:
Single-game tickets for West Coast Conference basketball games are currently on sale at www.usfdons.com/tickets. 

Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at www.usfdons.com/shop.

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF women's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsWBB on Twitter, @USFDonsWBB on Instagram and @USFDonsWBB on Facebook.