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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga-BYU: 3 keys to the Bulldogs’ 68-60 victory

Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura (21) tries to get the student section riled up after a Zags score late in the second half of a NCAA college basketball game, Sat., Feb. 3, 2018, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Key moment

Zach Norvell Jr. broke a 59-59 tie with a clutch 3-pointer with 2:19 left. The Zags secured the win by scoring the game’s last six points. Johnathan Williams drove the lane for a layup, Norvell forced a BYU turnover and Rui Hachimura and Josh Perkins each hit a pair of free throws.

Offensive player of the game

Sophomore forward Rui Hachimura scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half. He had three key field goals after BYU pulled even at 43 and added a pair of free throws to make it 66-60 with 29.5 seconds left. The sophomore forward made 6 of 9 shots and 3 of 4 free throws.

Defensive player of the game

Gonzaga used a tag-team approach on Elijah Bryant and held the BYU standout wing to just four points (he averages 18.5) on 1-of-11 shooting. Jeremy Jones only played eight minutes but he was effective on Bryant. Zach Norvell Jr. and Corey Kispert also had solid stretches guarding Bryant.