Why Gonzaga women's bench will be key to upset Ole Miss in NCAA Tournament opener
Mar. 19—MINNEAPOLIS — In 32 of 33 games this season, the Gonzaga women's basketball team has had the same starting lineup. Senior guard Ines Bettencourt missed a start dealing with the flu; otherwise the Zags' starting lineup never would have changed.
A stable starting lineup is something coach Lisa Fortier is known for in her 12 years. This much is true about the Bulldogs, though. Gonzaga wouldn't be in the NCAA Tournament without its bench.
The Zags' bench has been more than capable when called upon. The first two players off the bench have been freshman forward Jaiden Haile and transfer sophomore guard Teryn Gardner. Haile will often check in for star post Lauren Whittaker.
In the second half of the season, Fortier has packaged Whittaker and Haile together, making it difficult for opponents to deal with the formidable frontcourt pair. Haile has had four double-doubles off the bench and has been a force on the offensive glass. She was named the West Coast Conference Sixth Woman of the Year.
She also was named to the All-Freshman team. Zags have won the Sixth Woman of the Year award four out of the six years since the conference started honoring the top reserve in 2020-21. "We take a little bit of pride in the idea that we have the sixth player of the year most of the time," Fortier said.
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