WICHITA, Kan. — Gonzaga, an eighth seed in the NCAA Tournament, secured a dominant victory over Georgia with a final score of 89-68 in the first round, thanks to Khalif Battle’s impressive contribution of 24 points. Nolan Hickman also made a significant impact by adding 18 points to the team’s score.
Braden Huff played a crucial role in the triumph by scoring 18 points on efficient 8-for-11 shooting, helping Gonzaga improve their record to 26-8. This victory sets up an exciting second-round showdown between Gonzaga and the tournament’s top seed, Houston. The Cougars showcased their strength with a commanding 78-40 win against SIU Edwardsville.
Under the leadership of coach Mark Few, who has been steering the team since 1999, Gonzaga secured this win through a sharp and determined performance, marking their 22nd advancement to the second round. The team excelled in their shooting abilities, converting 12 of their 20 attempts from 3-point range, alongside an overall shooting accuracy of 55% from the field.