SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — Gonzaga overcame a slow start with a massive third-quarter surge to defeat Portland 69-55 in a West Coast Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at McCarthey Athletic Center.

The Pilots led 28-22 at halftime, but the Bulldogs erupted for 34 points in the third quarter to seize control. Gonzaga’s 20-of-27 performance from the free-throw line proved decisive, while Portland struggled, making just 7 of 16.

Lauren Whittaker led all scorers with 22 points for Gonzaga. Nicole Rodriguez scored 14 points for Portland. The Bulldogs improved to 12-6 overall, while the Pilots fell to 9-8. Attendance was 5,713.