Recap and highlights: No. 3 Gonzaga uses late surge to hold off Loyola Marymount’s upset bid with 73-60 win
LOS ANGELES – Rui Hachimura scored 22 points and No. 3 Gonzaga used a late surge to top Loyola Marymount 73-60 on Saturday at Gersten Pavilion.
Brandon Clarke netted 17 points for the Bulldogs (24-2 overall, 11-0 WCC), who trailed the upset-minded Lions midway through the second half before a Zach Norvell Jr. 3-pointer put the visitors ahead for good.
Dameane Douglas paced the Lions (17-9, 5-7) with 13 points. Four LMU players finished in double figures.
The Bulldogs shot 46 percent from the floor and 31.6 percent from deep. Loyola Marymount shot 37.9 percent overall and just 7.1 percent from 3-point range.
LMU outrebounded Gonzaga 36-35 and outscored the Bulldogs 38-30 in the paint.
Gonzaga travels to San Diego to take on the Toreros on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN).
Second half
Final – Gonzaga 73, LMU 60: Tons of credit to Loyola Marymount, who put up the toughest test GU has faced yet in WCC play this season.
Zags turn to the duo of Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke again, and the pair delievers to keep the Zags unbeaten in conference.
Another tough road test awaits on Saturday when GU visits San Diego.
2:13 – Gonzaga 69, LMU 58: Nice little run from the Zags to get a little separation.
Rui Hachimura up to 20 points, Brandon Clarke with 17 as GU is on a 9-0 run.
Zags now looking to its defense to close out another WCC road victory.
5:18 – Gonzaga 60, LMU 56: Defenses are getting tougher by the minute as points are coming at a premium.
Joe Quintana picks a nice time to drain the Lions’ first 3-pointer of the game to put LMU back on top. Josh Perkins responds with a pair of free throws as the teams trade the advantage.
Huge triple from Zach Norvell Jr., who has been quiet for most of the game. He’s now at eight points.
Four LMU players into double figures, led by 13 points from Dameane Douglas. LMU shooting 40.4 percent from the floor, while Gonzaga is shooting 41.3 percent overall.
11:32 – Gonzaga 52, LMU 47: The Lions are refusing to go away. LMU’s rebounding advantage at 28-24, with the Lions grabbing 10 offensive boards leading to 14 second-chance points.
Zags have done a much better job in the second half on LMU center Mattias Markusson, who is stuck at 11 points.
Rui Hachimura getting it done this half for the Zags on offense. He’s up to 16 points, including an easy slam on a slick pass from Brandon Clarke.
Clarke gets the favor returned, collecting a dime from Josh Perkins before scoring and getting fouled.
15:38 – Gonzaga 42, LMU 39: Not the prettiest possessions to start the half for the Zags, but the ball bounces their way and leads to 3-pointers from Josh Perkins and Corey Kispert, forcing a LMU timeout.
3-point shooting really hurting the Lions tonight as James Batemon makes it 0 for 7 from deep as a team with a miss that would have tied things up.
Brandon Clarke the second GU player into double figures with 10 points to go with six rebounds and three assists.
First half
Halftime – Gonzaga 32, LMU 31: By far the biggest first-half test the Zags have faced since their trip to San Francisco last month.
GU hasn’t found the answer to stopping Mattias Markusson, who leads all scorers with 11 points.
Rui Hachimura pacing the Zags with 10 points, while Brandon Clarke has six points and five rebounds.
GU shoots 31.2 percent overall and 18.2 from deep in the first 20 minutes, while LMU makes 38.2 percent from the floor and has yet to hit a 3-pointer (0-5).
Lions dominating in the paint, outscoring GU 24-12. LMU also outrebounding Gonzaga 21-19.
GU finishes the half hitting 1 of 12 shots from the floor.
3:15 – LMU 26, Gonzaga 25: Bulldogs struggling to get things going from deep, hitting just 2 of 10 shots from 3-point range.
On the other end of the floor, LMU’s Dameane Douglas is getting to the basket and drawing fouls. He’s at seven points.
Lions take back the lead on a Mattias Markusson tip-in. The 7-3 center now has 11 points to go with his two blocks.
Zags scoring drought at 4:03. GU shooting 33 percent from the floor and have five turnovers.
7:08 – Gonzaga 25, LMU 19: More quality minutes for Gonzaga freshman big Filip Petrusev, who takes back over the role of the Zags third big with Killian Tillie injured again. He’s up to six quick points.
Geno Crandall also getting some court time as Zach Norvell Jr. takes a break.
Zags take their first lead of the game, as Rui Hachimura has found his touch and leads GU with eight points.
11:54 – LMU 11, Gonzaga 11: Bulldogs answer right back out of the media timeout with a 3-pointer from Zach Norvell Jr. and a nifty finish at the rim from Brandon Clarke, who leads the Zags with six points.
Rare goof from Clarke with a missed dunk, but the junior makes up for it on the other end of the floor with a swat and a steal on back-to-back possessions.
Gonzaga scoreless over the past three minutes, while LMU’s streak reaches a 4:07 drought.
15:52 – LMU 11, Gonzaga 6: Lions show some fight out of the gate with buckets on their two opening possessions. That’s offset by two quick foul calls on starting guard Jeffery McClendon who heads to the bench after two minutes.
Gonzaga a little confused on early defensive assignments as LMU guard James Batemon gets to the basket for four early points.
Mattias Markusson also off to a quick start for LMU with seven points on 3 of 3 shooting.
Brandon Clarke leads the Zags with four points, including a thunderous slam on a nice dish from Zach Norvell. Jr.
Gonzaga announces starting 5
Game preview
Gonzaga roster
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LMU’s roster
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