Gonzaga still searching for winning formula in close contests after narrow loss to Gaels

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Feb. 2—MORAGA, Calif. — It has become the overriding question since Gonzaga blew a five-point lead in the final 25 seconds of regulation in an overtime loss to West Virginia in the Bahamas in late November.

Can Gonzaga reach the finish line first in a close game?

The Zags failed to do so again Saturday when the offense veered off course after taking a four-point lead inside the last 10 minutes. Saint Mary’s took advantage and handed Gonzaga a bitter 62-58 loss at University Credit Union Pavilion.

Saint Mary’s has won three of the last four and five of the last nine against GU. The Zags (16-7, 7-3 West Coast Conference) slipped to 0-5 in games decided by six points or less. Their two other setbacks were eight-point losses in overtime, including an 86-78 decision to the Mountaineers and a 97-89 loss to Oregon State.

GU’s closest wins remain an 89-82 road win over Pepperdine and an 88-80 home victory over Arizona State in the second game of the season.

“We didn’t execute,” senior point guard Ryan Nembhard said. “We had some turnovers late, the ball went through a couple guys’ hands, some illegal screens. The key to the game was rebounding for sure. They got some key offensive rebounds late.

“Honestly proud of the fight we had in the second half and it feels like it’s coming together within the group.”

Gonzaga lost the glass 40-34 to Saint Mary’s, one of the nation’s top rebounding teams. The Gaels held a 14-10 edge on offensive boards and a 9-6 advantage in second-chance points.

Saint Mary’s snagged three offensive rebounds before Luke Barrett’s tip-in gave the Gaels the lead for good, 51-50. A putback by Paulius Murauskas put SMC on top 58-55 with 1:28 left.

“Just got to hit harder, be more alert,” said senior center Graham Ike, who led GU with eight rebounds. “Just fight more.”

What’s it going to take to get a win in crunch time?

“Just more awareness, just more aggressiveness from everybody,” Ike said. “Tomorrow, we’ll come together as a squad, we’ll correct some of the things…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gonzaga-still-searching-winning-formula-030200151.html

Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

Publish date : 2025-02-03 03:02:00

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