SPOKANE, Wash.
Ben Gregg was instrumental in No. 18 Gonzaga’s latest triumph, scoring 23 points while Khalif Battle contributed 20, leading the Bulldogs to a 93-80 victory over San Diego on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, Graham Ike excelled on the boards, achieving a career-best 19 rebounds to accompany his 15 points. Ryan Nembhard had a solid outing, finishing with 11 points and an equal number of assists, all with only two turnovers.
On the opposing side, Kjay Bradley Jr. spearheaded the scoring for San Diego with 21 points, but the Toreros suffered their third consecutive loss in this contest. Gonzaga approached the game without key players Michael Ajayi and Jun Seok Yeo, both sidelined due to illness. Ajayi had performed well in his last outing against Loyola Marymount, netting a personal season-high of 15 points.
Takeaways:
Gonzaga remains strong in their conference play, demonstrating poise and speed, especially in transition where they scored 20 of their points. Despite the absence of Ajayi, head coach Mark Few’s team showcased their offensive prowess by dominating the boards, out-rebounding San Diego 48-31.
San Diego’s start in the conference has been challenging, now at 1-3, contrasting sharply with their fifth-place finish last season, their best standing since the 2014-15 season. Freshman forward Kean Webb, making his debut in the starting lineup, faced early adversity, ultimately fouling out.
Key Moment:
A pivotal moment in the game arrived when Nembhard executed a steal followed by a quick score. This play initiated a six-point flurry for Gonzaga within just 44 seconds, extending their lead to double digits over San Diego late in the first half.
Key Stat:
Gonzaga’s aggressive offense earned them a significant advantage, registering 33 opportunities at the free-throw line. Ike and Battle were particularly productive, converting a combined 19 of 22 attempts. Furthermore, Gonzaga’s scoring in the paint totaled 36 points, underscoring their dominance inside.
Up Next:
Gonzaga is set to host their state rivals, Washington State, on Saturday night. Meanwhile, San Diego will be back at home to take on Saint Mary’s the same evening.
