Gonzaga Bulldogs: Zags 360 – 2 wins, including a big upset
Teresa Powe
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Gonzaga Bulldogs secured two more wins this week, which included a big upset over No. 4 Alabama.
Gonzaga Bulldogs center Drew Timme got two wins this week; one he could never have done without his bench, the other over the No. 4 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (88) vs. North Illinois Huskies (67)
There’s not much to write on this except that the Gonzaga Bulldogs should have won this game much sooner than with four minutes left in the second half. But a win is a win, which marks the 71st win at the McCarthy Athletic Center for the Bulldogs.
Timme needed help from the bench for this win. Unfortunately, the rest of the starters weren’t even close to scoring in the double digits. Hunter Sallis played 30 minutes for the first time in his career, contributing 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Ben Gregg added 18 big points on six of 11 shooting. Malachi Smith was there with another 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 of which were off the offensive boards, 3 assists, and a steal.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (100) vs. The Alabama Crimson Tide (90)
The No. 15 Gonzaga Bulldogs traveled to Birmingham, Ala., to take on the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide. This was an incredible game for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, who have had a grueling non-conference schedule so far this season.
This was not an easy one for the Bulldogs. Were it not for the Tide’s 21 turnovers; this game could have gone another way. Unfortunately for them, the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ defense caused those turnovers.
It must have embarrassed the starters that the bench had to help in the North Illinois Huskies win because they came back with a bang. All the Gonzaga starters were in double figures, and two huge Malachi Smith hits from beyond the arc finally settled this game in the Bulldogs’ favor.
Timme had a double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Nolan Hickman looked better than I’ve seen him this season, with 13 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, and a block. Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton both had 11 points. Anton Watson had an amazing game with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. Watson even had a shot from beyond the arc.
The Alabama Crimson Tides never stopped coming for the Bulldogs. Brandon Miller, the top-scoring freshman in the country, had 36 points and 6 rebounds on 12 of 22 shooting, including 6 of 11 from three-point range. According to the Alabama coach, Nate Oats:
“Our defense was really struggling. Him being able to get some buckets in the second half kept us in the game.”
What’s Next?
On Tuesday, December 20, the Gonzaga Bulldogs return home to take on the Big Sky Montana Grizzlies. That is the only game this week, and the Zags return to the Kennel after the holiday on December 28 to take on the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers.
From all of us here at Pacific Northwest Sports, we wish you all Happy Holidays!