Jill Barta scores 27 points in Gonzaga women’s easy win over Portland

PORTLAND – Jill Barta scored 27 points with 11 rebounds – her fourth double-double of the season – and Gonzaga had little trouble downing Portland 85-50 on Saturday in West Coast Conference play.

The 85 points were the most against a WCC opponent this season and the 35-point win against a WCC opponent is the most under head coach Lisa Fortier.

Barta was 7 of 12 from the field, 3 of 6 beyond the arc and 10 of 10 from the line. Gonzaga (15-4, 6-2) shot better than 46 percent and hit 10 of 24 (42 percent) on 3-point attempts.

The Bulldogs outrebounded the Pilots 43-30 and generated 21 points off 21 turnovers.

The Zags, who posted their sixth consecutive win, were quick out of the gates in the first quarter, leading 11-2 by the first media timeout at 4 minutes, 49 seconds with Barta scoring nine on 2-of-3 shooting and 4 of 4 from the line.

Gonzaga led 22-6 after the first quarter, with Barta responsible for 15.

Zhane Templeton took control to start the second quarter with a 3-pointer and four-point play, then Barta and Emma Stach hit 3s and built the lead to 35-12 at the 5:55 mark. After a Portland layup, the Zags scored 10 straight points before two Pilots free throws made it 45-16 at the half.

Laura Stockton added 11 points with a season-high eight assists and Templeton had three 3-pointers and chipped in 10 for the Zags.

Elle Tinkle had a career-high six steals, moving to 10th on Gonzaga’s all-time list with 169, passing Kelly Bowen’s mark by one.

Kaylie Van Loo led Portland (3-16, 1-7) with 16 points, going 10 of 11 from the line, while Darian Slaga added 12.

Gonzaga stays on the road, facing San Diego on Thursday at 6 p.m.