Recap and highlights: Gonzaga uses big second half to down Arizona 91-74, set up showdown with top-ranked Duke in Maui Invitational title game

LAHAINA, Hawaii – Zach Norvell had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds as third-ranked Gonzaga overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half to top Arizona 91-74 in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational on Tuesday.

Arizona (4-1), led the Bulldogs (5-0) by 13 points near the start of the second half before GU outscored the Wildcats 54-29 in the final 20 minutes.

Rui Hachimura finished with a team-high 24 points for the Zags, while Brandon Clarke and Josh Perkins added 18 points apiece. Perkins also finished with nine assists, while Hachimura had six rebounds.

Gonzaga shot 58.3 percent in the second half to finish shooting 53.1 percent overall. GU also shot 31 percent from 3-point range and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line. Arizona finished shooting 41.2 percent overall and 30.4 percent from deep.

Gonzaga, which had 10 turnovers in the first half, finished with 12, while Arizona had 16 giveaways.

Justin Coleman had a game-high 28 points for the Wildcats.

Gonzaga moves on to the championship game on Wednesday at 2 p.m. PST against top-ranked Duke, which beat No. 8 Auburn 78-72 in the other semifinal.

After the game, Gonzaga coach Mark Few spoke with ESPN about facing the No. 1 Blue Devils:

Second half

Final – Gonzaga 91, Arizona 74: Dream showdown for the Maui Invitational title as third-ranked Gonzaga will take on No. 1 Duke tomorrow (2 p.m., ESPN).

Bulldogs showed some weaknesses, especially in the first half, but the tandem of Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke have been so dominant inside that it eventually opens things up for the stable of shooters the Zags have.

Fantastic effort by Arizona and guard Justin Coleman, who finished with 28 points.

3:30 – Gonzaga 79, Arizona 69: Bulldogs just look more comfortable on the offensive end this half, especially in the paint where Rui hachimura and Brandon Clarke have had their ways since Chase Jeter fouled out for Arizona.

Hachimura up to 21 points and six rebounds, while Josh Perkins has turned his attention to playing the role of facilitator. The senior guard is up to eight assists to go with his 13 points.

Arizona really pushing after losing the lead, a strategy that is hurting a lot more than helping. Zona just 8 of 19 from the floor this half. The Wildcats also have registered just one assist in the second half while turning the ball over nine times.

Getting close to calling this one as Gonzaga has found its groove, while Arizona looks lost on the floor. Back-to-back triples from Perkins and Zach Norvell Jr. have the Bulldogs up double figures after trailing by as many as 13.

8:11 – Gonzaga 65, Arizona 61: Zach Norvell Jr. heating up in the second half. The sophomore guard now has 15 points to match Rui Hachimura for the team best.

Both players are still trailing Arizona’s Justin Coleman (28) points, but the rest of the Wildcats have gone quiet.

Bulldogs still letting Arizona hang around, but the Wildcats, who are shooting just 35 percent from the floor this half, need to find some offense outside of Coleman if they want to complete the upset.

Gonzaga is up to 52.6 percent shooting from the floor this half and 33 percent from deep.

Gonzaga also has two tunrovers his half after committing 10 in the first 20 minutes.

11:21 – Gonzaga 56, Arizona 53: Massive momentum swing in this one as Gonzaga has stormed back to take the lead. This keep turning poor for Arizona as Chase Jeter picks up his fourth foul, followed by a technical for his reaction and he’s fouled out with three points.

Jeter is averaging 13 per game this season for the Wildcats.

12:51 – Arizona 53, Gonzaga 52: Josh Perkins joins Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke in double figures scoring for the Bulldogs with 10 points. His pull-up jumper is followed by a Zach Norvell Jr. 3-pointer and just like that Gonzaga is back to within a point.

GU finding better shots on offense, coupled with Arizona not getting anything to fall on its end of the court.

Zags on an 8-0 run over the last 2:42.

15:08 – Arizona 53, Gonzaga 47: Gonzaga is ice cold from 3-point range tonight, hitting just 4 of 17 shots from deep.

On the other end of the court, Arizona’s Justin Coleman is on fire. The senior guard is up to 22 points.

GU still playing very good interior defense as Brandon Clarke does his best outside hitter impression with a huge block on Coleman. Clarke has three swats.

Zags go into the media break on a nice run behind a Zach Norvell Jr. breakaway slam and 3-pointers by Corey Kispert and Clarke. Josh Perkins credited with assists on both buckets as he’s up to three dimes on the game.

Bulldogs certainly looking more confident by the minute.

First half

Halftime – Arizona 45, Gonzaga 37: For the second night in a row, Gonzaga can’t stop a talented guard as Justin Coleman is up to 17 points in the first half. The other half of Zona’s backcourt, Brandon Williams, has 11.

Bulldogs getting most of their scoring in the paint behind Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura’s nine points apiece.

GU’s Josh Perkins also scoring well with eight points, but he also has two fouls and two turnovers.

Gonzaga ends the first half shooting 46.4 percent overall and 18.2 percent from deep, while Arizona is hitting 40.7 percent from the floor and 30.8 percent from 3-point range.

Zags winning the battle on the board (19-16) and points in the paint (16-14), but turnovers favor the Wildcats, who have committed five to GU’s 10.

Arizona goes 19 of 22 from the free-throw line in the half, while Gonzaga is just 9 of 15 from the charity stripe..

3:51 – Arizona 35, Gonzaga 28: Brandon Clarke once again showing why GU was so excited for him to get on the floor after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.

The former San Jose State stud is up to nine points and in a constant disruption on defense for the Zags.

The Bulldogs once again not helping themselves in the turnover department. After 22 turnovers last night, GU is up to 10 already in this one.

Meanwhile Arizona has turned the ball over just three times. They also have just one assist on 11 made buckets. Lots of individual offense from this Wildcats team.

GU hasn’t scored a field goal since the 7:22 mark of the half, yet are still shooting 52.2 percent overall.

Winner of this one gets top-ranked Duke in tomorrow’s championship game.

8:00 – Gonzaga 26, Arizona 26: This one has the makings of another close finish and both teams are delivering blow after blow.

GU’s Jeremy Jones, one night removed from his best half in a Gonzaga uniform, gets another bucket and a pair of rebounds tonight.

Justin Coleman the first player in double figures on the night with 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting. Brandon Williams not far behind at nine points, while Josh Perkins and Brandon Clarke have eight and seven respectively.

Foul trouble strikes the Zags first as both Rui Hachimura and Corey Kispert pick up their second fouls.

10:32 – Gonzaga 20, Arizona 19: Former Gonzaga recruiting target Brandon Williams off to a good start as well for Zona. He’s up to seven points.

After his near double-double last night, GU’s Josh Perkins also off to a quick scoring start with five points, but he also has committed two turnovers.

Wildcats shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range and 43.8 percent overall. Bulldogs at 56.3 percent overall and 20 percent from deep.

Both teams staying out of foul trouble in the first few minutes, compared to both teams nearly being in the bonus at this point against the Illini.

15:07 – Arizona 12, Gonzaga 10: Not quite the defensive struggle as the Bulldogs had last night. Both teams scoring with relative ease early on.

A pair of early 3-pointers from Arizona’s Justin Coleman means the Zags will have to be a little more aware of the Wildcats’ outside game. He has six points.

Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke off to a strong start in the paint for GU, each has four points.

Wildcats definitely playing at a much faster pace then Illinois last night. Big question will be if they have the depth to keep running the Zags up and down the court.

Gonzaga starting 5 against Arizona

Gonzaga roster

Arizona roster

Last game: Gonzaga 84, Illinois 78

Gonzaga knew it would have a tough time against Illinois’ frenetic style of play.

It took the Zags some time to figure it out and they still needed some big plays down the stretch, but now they’re off to the Maui Invitational semifinals.

Rui Hachimura scored 23 points, Zach Norvell Jr. added 15 and No. 3 Gonzaga held off Illinois 84-78 to earn a semifinal showdown with Arizona.

Gonzaga (4-0) overcame 22 turnovers by shooting 52 percent.

“They’re a team that brings a lot of adversity,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “When you are strong with it (the ball) and shoot a high percent, that’s what ends up giving it to you.” – Associated Press