INSTA-RECAP: Cal Women's Basketball Earns Impressive Road Win over Gonzaga

The guards shine in a dominating 86-65 win in Spokane

Image courtesy calbears.com

OK, you have my attention.

Cal led end-to-end and controlled the game throughout on their way to a convincing 86-65 win over the Zags. Grad transfer Kayla Williams exploded for 25 points(9-of-12 shooting), 6 assists and 4 steals in the win. For the last two years, Williams played limited minutes for a deep USC team, and was viewed as a defensive specialist. Williams started her college career with UC-Irvine, where she was the primary ball handler and averaged 15 points and 4 assists over two seasons. With Cal, she has re-emerged as an offensive force. Williams ended the first quarter on a penetrating drive to the basket to get a layup as the buzzer sounded. She ended the second quarter with an NBA-range 3-point shot that was all net.

Williams’ backcourt teammates also had excellent games. Lulu Twidale added 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, and Ioanna Krimili added 17 points, as the Zags could not match up on the perimeter.

Coach Charmin Smith’s game plan to focus on the perimeter players where there was a clear mismatch paid off. Gonzaga features two elite interior players with Yvonne Ejim and Maud Huijbens. Ejim had the best all-around game, with 27 points and 8 rebounds. Huijbens only scored 1 point. Cal’s interior duo of Marta Suarez and Michelle Onyiah scored 22 points between them.

Gonzaga reached the Sweet 16 last year. They lost several players but are still expected to be near the top in the WCC. They are receiving Top 25 votes in the Coaches Poll. At the end of the season, this win may be viewed as the moment where Coach Smith’s programs starts their ascendancy to being a factor in the ACC.

Cal returns to the court Wednesday, taking on the Grambling Tigers at 7pm in Haas Pavilion.