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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga-Michigan: 3 keys to the Wolverines’ 82-64 victory over the Bulldogs

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Offensive MVP

Michigan’s Isaiah Livers made the Zags pay for slow close-outs, drilling 5 of 8 3-pointers en route to 21 points. The 6-foot-7 junior forward was 3 of 3 inside the arc. He had two 3s as Michigan moved in front to stay with a 16-4 first-half run. He made consecutive 3s after the Zags cut Michigan’s lead to 13 with 5 minutes remaining in the second half.

Defensive MVP

Wolverines center Jon Teske, who also had a strong case for offensive player of the game with 19 points, repeatedly stymied the Zags as they tried to finish in the lane. The 7-1 senior blocked four shots, three in the opening half, and his presence altered numerous other shots. GU’s Filip Petrusev made just 4 of 16 field-goal attempts.

Key moment

Michigan trailed by five early, but wiped out Gonzaga’s lead with a 16-4 run to move on top 23-16. Livers scored eight of the 16 points in the spurt. The Wolverines dominated the final 13 minutes of the half, building a 36-25 lead at the break.