Gonzaga redshirt freshman forward Lauren Whittaker continues to show off her dominance in the West Coast Conference, reaching her tenth double-double of the 2025-26 season with 26 points and 11 rebounds during the 82-69 victory over the San Francisco Dons this past Thursday, Jan. 15, in Spokane. The 6-3 talent chipped in seven points, 13 rebounds, and three steals in the 87-42 beatdown against the San Diego Toreros this past Saturday, Jan. 17, at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
She’s now leading the West Coast Conference in scoring (19.3 per game), rebounding (10.2 per game), and field goal percentage (57.5 percent).
The Kiwi needs more consideration for the National Freshman of the Year Award. Among freshmen in the national rankings, Whittaker is second in points per game and fourth in rebounds per game. Whittaker’s ten double-doubles lead the nation for first-years, ninth among all players in the country.
Coach Lisa Fortier’s group (14-6, 6-1 WCC) is now in a first-place tie in the West Coast Conference standings with the Oregon State Beavers (14-6, 6-1 WCC). The pair will meet up for the first time this season on Thursday, Jan. 22, inside Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. Tip-off will take place at 6:00 p.m. PT on ESPN+.
The Zags are ranked No. 1 in the country with a 41.0 three-point percentage and tied for No. 30 with 17.4 assists per game. Gonzaga looks very capable of winning the league title at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas this March with the recent bench support behind Whittaker and sophomore sharpshooter Allie Turner.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
