Gonzaga Bulldogs: Zags 360 – Two wins and the historic streak continues
Teresa Powe
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Gonzaga Bulldogs return home and continue their historic home court streak at the McCarthy Athletic Center.
They almost blew it! The Gonzaga Bulldogs needed a come-from-behind victory in the first game, followed by a defeat of their intra-state rival Washington Huskies, to extend the Bulldogs’ historic home court winning streak to 70.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (73) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (66)
The Kent State Golden Flashes went on a 17-4 run in the early to mid part of the second half. It couldn’t happen. The Gonzaga Bulldogs went from number two to number 18 in nine games. They couldn’t blow their home streak. Gonzaga has been growing it for the past ten years.
After poor shooting in the Bulldogs game against the Baylor Bears, Drew Timme featuring that “Drew Timme spin,” exploded with a 29 point, 17 rebound game, killing it in the paint against the Golden Flashes.
Actually, all of the Bulldogs bounced back after being almost non-existent in previous games. But with the Kent State backcourt, it took an 11-0 run at the end of the second half for the Bulldogs to win this game.
It was outstanding defense by Hunter Sallis, who sacrificed his body in a crucial play at the end of the second half; Julian Strawther contributed with 14 points and 8 rebounds. It was a basket from beyond the arc by Strawther that started the run. Nolan Hickman had 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. He seems to be trying harder to fit into the point guard role.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (77) vs. Washington Huskies (60)
It looks like our Gonzaga Bulldogs are returning to form slowly but surely. This week, back at home in the Kennel, has been gratifying. The guys seem to be back to themselves, confident, the old number one team in the nation Gonzaga Bulldogs. It will be a long road back to number 1 from number 18. It takes one game at a time.
In this intra-state rivalry, the Bulldogs once again defeated the Huskies. The Bulldogs got started with their 7’0″ center Efton Reid. As you will see in the postgame press conference, after a slow start, it was Reid who set the Bulldogs off, getting them pumped for action.
This game featured the Timme and Strawther show. Timme had another monster 22 point game, with five rebounds, four assists, and four steals! Strawther had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, including shooting 50% from the field. against the Huskies.
Hunter Sallis, who is looking like a WCC Sixth Man of the Year, came off the bench and, with his athleticism, turned a defensive effort into offense, and as he says in the postgame, “that’s what I’m here to do.” Sallis had 7 points, 2 assists with a steal, and 2 blocks to contribute to the win.
Anton Watson, the new Gonzaga big man and my Quiet Enforcer, contributed 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Defense has come back to the Kennel. And to the Bulldogs in general.
What’s Next?
On Monday, December 12, the Gonzaga Bulldogs will face the Northern Illinois Huskies. NIU is 1-4 on the road. Guard Keshawn Williams is shooting 45.3% from the field, and David Coit averages 14 points per game.
On Saturday, December 17, the Bulldogs will face the 8th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama defeated No. 1 Houston this week, coming back from a 15 point deficit.
Freshmen Noah Clowney and Jaden Bradley led the way. Clowney averages 9.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while Bradley shoots 53.1% from the field. The Tide previously defeated former No. 1 North Carolina.
