Huff contributes 21 points as No. 6 Gonzaga defeats Arizona State 88-80 with his bench performance.

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    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 Gonzagaโ€™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 Stateโ€™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. Nembhardโ€™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.