Balanced scoring attack helps Gonzaga take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF

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Feb. 13—More times than not this season, Gonzaga’s been able to bank on consistent scoring production from forward Graham Ike and quality distribution from point guard Ryan Nembhard.

Lately, GU coach Mark Few has been more concerned about what he’ll get on a night-to-night basis from the six rotation players who haven’t appeared on national watch lists or All-America projections.

Three double-doubles and five double-digit scorers on the final stat sheet may have eased a number of Few’s concerns on Thursday during a pivotal matchup between Gonzaga and the team sitting a half-game above the Zags in the West Coast Conference standings.

For every post move from Ike or assist from Nembhard, there was a key rebound from Michael Ajayi, quick cut from Ben Gregg or defensive stand from Emmanuel Innocenti.

Not all of it showed up on the box score, but it ultimately allowed Gonzaga to pull away during one of it more impressive halves of the season and beat San Francisco 88-77 at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

“It wasn’t perfect, but like we’ve talked about here, everybody kind of delivered in their own way which was good,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “We weren’t quite as Graham or Ryan dependent tonight.”

Speaking of concerns eased, Gonzaga took over sole possession of second place in the WCC standings with Thursday’s result, putting the Bulldogs in better position to earn a bye to the semifinals of the upcoming conference tournament. GU is still in the race for a share of the regular-season WCC title, two games behind Saint Mary’s with one game against the Gaels remaining next Saturday in Spokane.

Ike and Nembhard orchestrated the show most of the night, accounting for two of Gonzaga’s three double-doubles.

Ike was steady down low, scoring 18 points in a game that saw the Bulldogs pile up 52 points in the paint. The senior had his first double-double since Jan. 8 against San Diego, and fifth of the season, hauling down 13 rebounds.

Five days removed from setting his own single-season…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/balanced-scoring-attack-helps-gonzaga-045900877.html

Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

Publish date : 2025-02-14 04:59:00

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