Recap and highlights: Graham Ike takes over as Gonzaga beats San Francisco 85-76 to reach WCC title game

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Mar. 11—LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The first 20 minutes of Monday’s West Coast Conference Tournament semifinal between Gonzaga and San Francisco probably didn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone well-versed in the recent history between the teams.

In five of the last six meetings, neither managed to build more than a one-possession halftime lead, but the Zags prevailed in each of those — often in double-digit fashion after dominant second halves.

So, Gonzaga didn’t blink when San Francisco walked to the locker room with a two-point advantage at the Orleans Arena, nor did the Zags flinch when the Dons cut a six-point lead to one with under eight minutes in the second half.

The final 20 didn’t come as easy, but Gonzaga did what was necessary in a win-or-go-home opportunity, riding monster second halves from Graham Ike and Khalif Battle to an 85-76 victory over San Francisco at Orleans Arena.

The victory clinched Gonzaga’s 28th consecutive WCC Tournament title game berth, setting up a showdown with top-seeded Saint Mary’s at 6 p.m. (ESPN). The Gaels won both meetings against the Zags this season on their way to a regular-season conference title.

Winning a 33rd straight game against San Francisco required mettle from Gonzaga after the Dons closed multiple two-possession leads to three points early in the second half, then made it a one-point game on Saba Gigiberia’s jumper with 7 minutes, 12 seconds remaining.

Graham Ike scored on four consecutive possessions early in the second half to give Gonzaga momentum and Khalif Battle lifted the Zags with timely scoring spurts and outside shooting.

Ike scored a game-high 27 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. The senior forward and All-WCC selection made 9 of 13 shots from the field and went 10 of 12 from the free throw line, scoring 17 points in the second half.

Battle bounced back from a quiet first half to finish with 21 points on 5 of 11 from the field, 3 of 7 from the 3-point line and 8 of 9…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/recap-highlights-graham-ike-takes-150700544.html

Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

Publish date : 2025-03-11 15:07:00

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