SPOKANE, Wash.
Braden Huff played a pivotal role coming off the bench, contributing 21 points, while Ryan Nembhard delivered a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists as the No. 6 Gonzaga Bulldogs secured an 88-80 win against Arizona State on Sunday.
Huff showcased impressive shooting, hitting 9 of 13 attempts from the field and successfully making nearly all his 2-point shots for Gonzaga (2-0), marking their 21st consecutive victory in home openers.
Khalif Battle shone in the second half, where he scored all 19 of his points, including three crucial 3-pointers and an electrifying alley-oop dunk. Together, Battle and Huff were instrumental, combining for 17 of Gonzaga’s final 21 points, ensuring the team maintained their lead in this inaugural matchup against Arizona State.
For Arizona State (2-1), Basheer Jihad had a standout performance, netting 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. After struggling in his first two games under coach Bobby Hurley, where he went 1-for-10, Jihad rebounded with a strong 7-for-14 shooting night against Gonzaga.
Key Insights:
In the opening half, Gonzaga struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 3-for-12 on 3-pointers. However, Graham Ike and Huff dominated inside, shooting 8-for-10, which kept the Bulldogs competitive. The bench for Gonzaga made a significant impact, contributing 30 points in the second half.
Arizona State’s pursuit of an upset was hampered by their shooting woes, as they managed only 4-for-15 from 3-point range in the second half. Five-star recruit Jayden Quaintance made all nine of his points in the first half and unfortunately fouled out, finishing with just a single rebound and no assists.
Defining Moment:
A crucial steal by Michael Ajayi led to a fast break for Gonzaga. Nembhard’s alley-oop pass found Battle, who dunked to tie the game at 63 midway through the second half, energizing the home crowd in the Kennel.
Noteworthy Statistics:
Gonzaga demonstrated strong teamwork, assisting on 22 of their 31 successful shots, with all eight players getting involved on the scoresheet. Nembhard notably played 36 minutes and did not commit a single turnover.
Upcoming Games:
Arizona State will face Grand Canyon in a neutral-site encounter on Thursday night for the 2024 Hall of Fame game in Phoenix.
Gonzaga returns to action on Friday night, hosting UMass Lowell.