Gonzaga Triumphs Over Oregon State
In a remarkable performance, Graham Ike delivered an impressive 35 points for No. 6 Gonzaga, leading the team to an 81-61 triumph over Oregon State on Saturday in Corvallis, Oregon. This victory follows a disappointing 87-80 defeat to Portland earlier in the week, which ended Gonzaga’s 15-game winning streak and their 20-game dominance over the Pilots. With this latest win, Gonzaga improved its record to 23-2 and maintained a strong 11-1 record in the West Coast Conference (WCC).
Key Contributions and Game Highlights
Tyon Grant-Foster contributed significantly to the Bulldogs’ success, scoring 15 points, while Isaiah Sy led the Beavers with 13 points. Oregon State came into the matchup on a three-game winning streak, but the loss complicates their standing, leaving them at 13-13 overall and 6-7 in the conference.
The game began with Oregon State in a tight battle, holding a slight advantage in the early minutes, but Gonzaga’s Ike quickly shifted momentum with a pivotal 3-pointer, bringing the score to 22-20 in favor of the Bulldogs. As halftime approached, the game was closely contested, with Gonzaga holding a 38-34 lead at the break.
After the intermission, Gonzaga extended their lead to nine points, although Oregon State managed to narrow the gap with a 3-pointer from center Yaak Yaak, bringing the score to 53-48 at one point. However, as the game progressed, Gonzaga’s rhythm picked up again, with Davis Fogle’s dunk marking a turning point and pushing the Bulldogs ahead by 20 points as the game drew to a close.
Looking Ahead
This matchup showcased the evolving landscape of college basketball as Gonzaga is set to join the Pac-12 next season as a non-football school after the conference faced significant changes in 2023, leaving Oregon State and Washington State as the remaining members.
Looking ahead, Gonzaga will host Washington State on Tuesday, while Oregon State will head to San Francisco for their next outing. The Bulldogs and St. Mary’s currently share the top of the WCC standings, both with only one loss in conference play.
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