NASSAU, Bahamas — In an impressive display, Khalif Battle spearheaded a well-rounded performance with 16 points, while Ryan Nembhard registered a double-double, as the No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs triumphed over the No. 14 Indiana Hoosiers with a score of 89-73 in the consolation bracket of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament on Thursday.
Gonzaga held a narrow lead of 33-31 with less than eight minutes remaining in the first half when they activated a stunning 16-0 run, executed by five different players, within just over four minutes. This surge put them in command, and Indiana was unable to reduce the deficit to fewer than 15 points for the remainder of the match.
Nembhard contributed significantly to Gonzaga’s success with 11 points and a career-best 13 assists. Teammates Michael Ajayi and Nolan Hickman each scored 15 points, while Ben Gregg added 13 points to the total. Additionally, Ajayi impressed on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds, helping Gonzaga dominate the rebounding category with a total of 42 compared to Indiana’s 27.
For Indiana, Omar Ballo was the standout performer, scoring 25 points, while Mackenzie Mgbako chipped in with 13 points. This marked Indiana’s second consecutive loss, dropping their record to 4-2 for the season.
A key takeaway from the game is Gonzaga’s ability to rebound decisively after their defeat to West Virginia, showing resilience with a convincing win against another highly ranked opponent. In contrast, Indiana faced difficulties in establishing a cohesive offensive game plan.
A pivotal moment occurred when Indiana had reduced the gap to just two points following a basket by Ballo with 8:11 remaining in the first half, marking his 17th point on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting performance against his previous college team. However, Ballo’s next basket came at 2:58, trimming Gonzaga’s lead to 49-33, amid a flurry of missed shots and turnovers that hampered the Hoosiers’ momentum.
Statistically, Gonzaga held a 57-39 advantage at halftime, showcasing a commanding 17-3 edge in second-chance points. Ballo delivered an impressive 11-of-13 shooting performance, while his teammates combined for 16 of 46 from the field. Ultimately, Gonzaga featured six players in double-figure scoring, while Indiana didn’t reach that milestone until the final minutes of the game.
Looking ahead, Gonzaga is set to face the winner of the matchup between Providence and Davidson for fifth place, while Indiana will contest against the loser for seventh place on Friday.