Recap and highlights: Seventh-ranked Gonzaga uses balanced scoring attack to rout of North Alabama 96-51

Zach Norvell Jr. scored 20 points and dished out five assists as No. 7 Gonzaga used a fast start to thump North Alabama 96-51 on Friday at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Brandon Clarke added a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs (12-2), who led 48-14 at halftime.

All five GU starters scored in double figures (Rui Hachimura 14, Josh Perkins 13 and Corey Kispert 10), while also staying under 30 minutes of court time.

Gonzaga shot 54 percent from the floor and 32.7 percent from deep, while holding the Lions (3-11) to 32.7 percent overall and 21.1 percent from 3-point range.

The Bulldogs outrebounded UNA 43-32, and dominated in the paint, outscoring the Lions 46-26.

GU finished with 11 turnovers, while forcing North Alabama into 20.

Gonzaga will host CSU Bakersfield on Monday (6 p.m., KHQ) in its final nonconference game.

Second half

Final – Gonzaga 96, North Alabama 51: Phenomenal start to this one leads Gonzaga to rout of North Alabama.

Just one more nonconference game for the Zags – Monday against CSU Bakersfield (6 p.m., KHQ).

Also key for the Zags, no starter logged more than 30 minutes, meaning players like Rui Hachimura and Josh Perkins got some much-needed rest.

3:28 – Gonzaga 87, North Alabama 48: Reserves starting to filter into the game for the Bulldogs as Zach Norvell Jr. is the last starter on the floor.

Norvell’s had a huge second half for Gonzaga. He gets up to 20 points and five assists 3:before making way for Jack Beach.

Zags get their shooting percentage back over 50 percent (52.6), while hitting an impressive 36.4 percent from deep.

6:29 – Gonzaga 80, North Alabama 43: A five Gonzaga starters now into double figures scoring as Josh Perkins (13) and Corey Kispert (10) join Brandon Clarke, Rui Hachimura and Zach Norvell Jr.

After a dry spell scoring at the start of the half, the Zags have now hit 8 of their last 9 shots from the floor.

Bulldogs go back to the press after a made free throw, as UNA is starting to rely on deep 3-pointers instead of challenging the Zags inside.

Zach Norevll gets the outside game going again for GU with his third 3-pointer of the game. Norvell and Clarke lead GU with 16 points each.

Christian Agnew up to 16 points for the Lions.

11:13 – Gonzaga 65, North Alabama 33: Bulldogs trying to take back control of the pace by feeding the ball inside to Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura.

Clarke notches his double-double and has 13 points.

Bulldogs shooting percentage down to 50 overall, while North Alabama is up to 31.6 percent from the floor.

Clarke doing his best to energize his team and crowd with another big dunk.

15:45 – Gonzaga 55, North Alabama 25: Sluggish run to end the first half continues after the break for the Zags, as turnovers and fouls lead to easy UNA buckets.

Between the halves, Gonzaga goes more than five minutes between scoring before a Zach Norvell Jr. 3-pointer gets GU back on track. The sharp-shooting sophomore now has 10 points.

Brandon Clarke nearing his double-double for the Bulldogs on a massive put-back slam. He’s up to nine points and 11 boards. Rui Hachimura still leading GU with 15 points.

Christian Agnew up to 11 points for the Lions.

First half

Halftime – Gonzaga 48, North Alabama 14: Much like the Denver game last week, it’s been all Gonzaga from the tip. North Alabama gets off the ropes for a few minutes as the Zags finish the half with some sloppy possessions.

Rui Hachimura leads a balanced scoring attack with 11 points, while Brandon Clarke has grabbed 10 boards.

Zags shooting 48.5 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from deep, while holding the Lions to 18.5 percent overall and no made 3-pointers.

GU with five turnovers to UNA’s 10. Zags also with eight assists to North Alabama’s one.

Very impressive 20 minutes of basketball for the Zags.

3:47 – Gonzaga 47, North Alabama 8: Rui Hachimura starting to take over on the offensive end. The junior forward is up to 11 points on 4-5 shooting.

Brandon Clarke continues to dominate with ease on the glass. He’s grabbed nine rebounds to go with his seven points.

Zags are certainly the more talented team on the floor, but not sure many people in The Kennel expected to see a performance like this.

7:22 – Gonzaga 38, North Alabama 6: Gonzaga playing a different game than North Alabama right now. The speed from a refreshed GU team looks as good as it has all season, especially on the defensive end.

The scoring balance is also impressive for the Zags as all five starters have at least five points.

Bench players starting to get some action for GU as Joel Ayayi hits from outside for his first points of the game.

Rui Hachimura leads all scorers with eight points.

Zags shooting 54.2 percent from the floor, while holding UNA to 12.5 percent.

10:37 – Gonzaga 31, North Alabama 3: Josh Perkins joins the 3-point party for GU. The senior guard has seven points so far.

Likely another game where the Gonzaga bench will get some minutes. The injured duo of Killian Tillie and Geno Crandall are still out, but Crandall may be back for Monday’s game against CSU Bakersfield.

Bulldogs have now hit four 3-pointers, while North Alabama is 1-11 from the field with six turnovers. Clinical showing from the seventh-ranked team in the country.

Zags sticking with the trap on makes, switching into a man defense in the half court. Size advantage also favoring GU as Brandon Clarke has already grabbed six rebounds against this UNA guard-heavy lineup.

15:47 – Gonzaga 14, North Alabama 1: Quick start as expected from the Bulldogs, who are 40-point favorites against the Lions.

Gonzaga playing tough defense out of the gate with a massive double swat from Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke, which turned into a transition 3-pointer by Zach Norvell Jr.

Zags playing very fast on offense, getting the ball to the rim early in the shot clock, and doing so without much resistance from the UNA defense.

Another Lions’ turnover leads to a GU transition triple – this one from Corey Kispert. GU not looking like a team that had time off for a holiday break.

Bulldogs have forced UNA into three turnovers, mostly off a half-court trap on defense.

Norvell with five points for the Bulldogs.

Gonzaga announces starting lineup

Game preview

Gonzaga roster

LEADERS

North Alabama roster

LEADERS