Gonzaga Triumphs Over Santa Clara
In a high-stakes showdown on Saturday night, Gonzaga secured a narrow victory over Santa Clara, triumphing 94-86 and thus seizing the top spot in the West Coast Conference.
Key Performers
Leading the charge for the Bulldogs was Graham Ike, who delivered a stellar performance with 21 points and a season-high 15 rebounds. The 6-foot-9 forward showcased his skills, hitting 7 of his 12 attempts from the floor and adding four assists, while extending his streak of scoring 20 points or more to seven consecutive games—a feat he last accomplished in 2024.
The victory is significant for Gonzaga, as they improve to 25 wins this season and mark their 19th consecutive season with at least 25 victories under the leadership of coach Mark Few, who was recently acknowledged as a finalist for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Team Contributions
Alongside Ike, Adam Miller and Tyon Grant-Foster each contributed 20 points, while Emmanuel Innocenti provided additional support with 16 points and six rebounds. However, Gonzaga faced a challenge when Ike found himself in foul trouble late in the second half, sitting out for three crucial minutes.
Santa Clara’s Efforts
Santa Clara, with a record of 22-6 and 13-2 in conference play, put up a strong fight, with Christian Hammond scoring 16 points. The Broncos’ defensive pressure early in the game caused Gonzaga to rush several of their possessions, electrifying the sold-out audience at the Leavey Center.
Despite a tough start, where the Bulldogs made only 3 of their first 18 attempts from three-point range, they regrouped to finish with an impressive 56% shooting percentage overall, converting 36 of 64 shots. Gonzaga also dominated in the paint, racking up 66 points and winning the rebounding battle 41-32.
Upcoming Matches
Next, Gonzaga is set to travel to San Francisco for their upcoming match on Wednesday, while Santa Clara will head to San Francisco the following Saturday.
