Recap : Box Score : Cumulative Stats

SPOKANE, Washington - The Utah Valley State women's basketball team hung tough with Gonzaga in the first half, trailing by only three points during the half and nine at halftime. But a strong second half by the Bulldogs, the preseason favorite to win the West Coast Conference, propelled them to an 87-41 win at the McCarthy Athletic Center on Saturday.

Miriam Palkki led Utah Valley with 11 points while Kaydee Allred added nine points and six rebounds for the Wolverines. Katie Wilson chipped in seven points and seven rebounds.

As a team, Utah Valley shot 28 percent from the floor while Gonzaga shot 40 percent.

The Wolverines trailed 8-0 three minutes into the game. Gonzaga led by as many as 10 at 17-7 with 12:16 left in the first half. Utah Valley then went on a 9-2 run to cut the Bulldog lead to 19-16 following a Palkki basket with 9:13 left in the half. Palkki added a 3-pointer and Jessica Scabby and Kaydee Allred added baskets during the run.

Gonzaga'a biggest lead was nine the rest of the first half. Utah Valley shot 42 percent in the first half but was out rebounded 27-18. Many of Gonzaga's rebounds came on the offensive end. They only shot 31 percent in the first half but had 18 offensive rebounds.

Gonzaga scored the first six points of the second half to take a 39-24 lead. Baskets by Allred and Naihe cut the lead to 39-28 with 18:07 left in the game. But Gonzaga then went on a 15-3 run to take a 54-31 lead with 11:35 remaining.

The Wolverines return home for an instate game against Utah State at the McKay Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m.