Gonzaga vs. Stanford Game Presents Unlikely Ending to Spokane Region

The Gonzaga vs. Stanford women's basketball game is the final one in the Spokane Region. At stake is a spot in the 2011 NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis, and it's an Elite Eight game that will definitely be billed as a "David vs. Goliath" situation. This isn't a matchup that was expected, even though many of the experts thought Stanford could win the region easily.

No. 11 Gonzaga has been shocking fans of women's college basketball each step of the way this postseason, and now they are on the cusp of an invite to the Final Four. They put down No. 6 Iowa in the first round (92-86), then No. 3 UCLA in the second round (89-75) before they beat No. 7 Louisville (76-69) on Saturday. The unbelievable run puts them face-to-face with one of the best programs in the sport.

Stanford has had an easier route to the Elite Eight, beating UC Davis (86-59) in the first round, St. John's (75-49) in the second round, then No. 5 North Carolina (72-65) on Saturday. That game against the Tar Heels almost went the opposite direction though, until Stanford had a very good second half to seal the game. Maybe that test will prepare them to face the hot team from Gonzaga, but they now have a tough task in trying to stop Courtney Vandersloot.

Vandersloot is the best point guard in college basketball, and she continues to lead the Gonzaga Bulldogs to new heights. This is the first time that the school has ever been to the Elite Eight, and it was momentous that it actually took place in the same city that the Bulldogs call home. The Spokane crowd turned out in droves to see all of their games so far, and now they will get one final chance as the regional final will also be played in the Spokane Arena. The game is scheduled for Monday, March 28 at 6 p.m. PDT.

Regarding Vandersloot, she just went for 29 points, seven assists, seven steals, and five rebounds against Louisville. That was just days after she went for 29 points, 17 assists, seven rebounds, and five steals in the game against UCLA. In the process, Vandersloot passed 2,000 career points and 1,000 career assists for Gonzaga, making her the first player in the history of college basketball (both men's and women's) to accomplish that. She will easily make it into the WNBA when her college career ends, and that is reason enough for college basketball fans to tune into this game.

Now the powerhouse that is Stanford has to take on Gonzaga on their own turf, and anything could happen.

References:

2011_Women's_Bracket

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