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Gonzaga Basketball

3 keys to the Bulldogs’ 90-55 win over Santa Clara

Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams dunks on Santa Clara, Feb. 4, 2017, at the McCarthey Athletic Center. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)

The No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the Santa Clara Broncos 90-55 on Saturday at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane. Here are the three keys to the Zags’ win:

Key moment

Gonzaga had regained the lead after falling to a 16-12 deficit early in the first half, but Santa Clara managed to hang close until Johnathan Williams dunked and ignited an eight-point run for the Zags. The Bulldogs, who jumped out to a 12-point lead following the eight-point run, continued their dominance offensively for the rest of the game.

Offensive player of the game

Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins (13) and Santa Clara guard Matt Hauser go after the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. Gonzaga won 90-55. (Young Kwak / Associated Press)
Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins (13) and Santa Clara guard Matt Hauser go after the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. Gonzaga won 90-55. (Young Kwak / Associated Press)

Josh Perkins scored 15 points and was 3-of-6 on 3-point attempts. Two of the 3-pointers were just before the end of the first half, which helped the Zags jump out to a 14-point advantage at halftime.

Defensive player of the game

Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) and Gonzaga guard Silas Melson (0) chase a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sat., Feb. 4, 2017, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) and Gonzaga guard Silas Melson (0) chase a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sat., Feb. 4, 2017, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review) Buy this photo

Silas Melson was tasked with guarding the fifth all-time points scorer in the WCC, Santa Clara’s Jared Brownridge. Melson held Brownridge to 13 points on Saturday, below his season average of 18.5 points per game.