Recap and highlights: No. 4 Gonzaga dismantles UMass Lowell 113-54
Gonzaga’s game between its 40-minute battle against Arizona State and Monday’s road test against San Diego State in one of the toughest venues in the West could have fallen into the ‘trap game’ category.
Instead, the fourth-ranked Zags, favored by as many as 27.5 points, stayed on task and crushed the River Hawks 113-54 Friday at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
Gonzaga (3-0) wasn’t razor sharp from the field in the opening half, but the Zags didn’t need to be in this one. They had loads of extra chances – via offensive rebounds and UMass Lowell’s 14 turnovers – and cruised to a 49-27 halftime lead despite shooting 43.6%.
As expected, the Zags exploited their size advantage inside with a 60-20 edge in paint points. It could have been more lopsided, but GU missed numerous shots from close range, especially in the opening half.
The Zags dialed in their shooting in the second half, hitting 10 of their first 11 attempts, to move on top 75-36 lead with 12 minutes left. Gonzaga made nearly 65% of its shots in the final 20 minutes.
Gonzaga Athletics / Youtube
Khalif Battle drilled a pair of 3-pointers in the first 40 seconds of the closing half, added a windmill dunk and another 3 before exiting with 21 points in 28 minutes. He was 4 of 4 on 3s.
Battle was nearly matched by Nolan Hickman, who hit 4 of 5 first-half 3s and finished with 14 points.
Ryan Nembhard added 13 points, eight assists and no turnovers in 24 minutes. The senior point guard has 30 assists and two turnovers in three games.
Gonzaga had an injury scare about midway through the second half when sophomore wing Dusty Stromer went down grabbing his knee. He limped off the court for further evaluation but returned after a few minutes and re-entered the game.
Stromer had a pair of dunks and finished with 11 points, one of six Zags in double figures.
UMass Lowell, which has won 48 games the last two seasons and was picked second in the America East Conference, made just 36% of its shots.
Starting 5
Gonzaga: Nembhard, Ajayi, Hickman, Battle, Ike
UML: Clark, Covington, Mincey, Brooks, Morris III
First half
19:41 – GU 2, UML 0: We are underway in the Kennel. Zags win the tipoff and Battle dishes to Ike for a basket on the opening shot attempt.
15:57 – GU 10, UML 2: Great start for the Zags as Battle knocks down a 3-pointer and Nembhard is called for a foul to signal the first media timeout.
Ike Leads with four points, Hickman and Battle add 3-pointers, as GU opens 4 of 7 from the field. UML can’t get much going on offense, just two shot attempts so far and three turnovers.
12:02 – GU 19, UML 7: Zags turn to their bench and expand their lead with three straight baskets from Battle, Huff and Gregg. UML calls a timeout.
Zags on a 9-0 run, have made 8 of 14 attempts from the field.
8:07 – GU 28, UML 12: Nembhard hits a layup with a foul and the play is under further review.
Zags cruising here in the first half. Battle leads with eight points, Hickman adds six and Huff, Gregg and Ike add four apiece.
4:58 – GU 37, UML 15: Smooth transition offense gives the Zags a 6-0 run and UML calls a timeout. The rout is on early.
Battle up to 10 points for the Zags, who have forced nine turnovers and have 22 points in the paint. Nembhard facilitating with four assists. He had a great no-look pass to Ajayi for a layup.
3:27 – GU 41, UML 17: Innocenti gets some run in the first half, look for the Zags to use a deep bench tonight as we hit the U4 timeout.
Hickman hits his third 3-pointer, he’s 3-for-4 from range.
Halftime
Gonzaga has a major size advantage, but its backcourt has been the main reason for a 49-27 halftime lead over UMass Lowell at McCarthey Athletic Center.
Ryan Nembhard has been excellent. The Zags’ point guard has nine points, five assists, two steals and no turnovers. Nolan Hickman leads all scorers with 12 points, shooting 4-for-5 on 3-pointers. Khalif Battle joins him in double figures with 10 points.
The Zags should get a chance to tinker with their lineups and get some run out of their bench in the second half.
Second half
17:49 – GU 60, UML 31: Zags getting right back to it in the second half. Ajayi slams a dunk to extend the lead to 29. Nembhard up to 11 points and seven assists.
15:04 – GU 64, UML 36: Zags fouled at the U16 media timeout and will have two free throws.
Battle leading the way with 16 points, Hickman adds 14 and Nembhard with 11. GU is 6 of 7 from the field in the second half.
11:58 – GU 75, UML 36: Zags are on a 15-0 run, piling on now. Scary sight for GU with Nembhard going to the bench and being evaluated by trainers. Not apparent how serious it is.
9:04 – GU 85, UML 38: Human highlight-reel Battle is back at it. He throws down a windmill dunk in transition and then hits a 3-pointer on the next possession. Battle with a team-high 21 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field, 4-for-4 from 3.
7:32 – GU 87, UML 38: Zags on a 27-2 run at the U8 media timeout, on track to hit 100 points for the second time in three games.
Yeo and Innocenti in the game for GU, along with Stromer, Gregg and Huff.
3:38 – GU 101, UML 46: Zags eclipse the century mark with a tough basket in the paint by Yeo. Students calling out for free tacos (one more 3-pointer) at the final media timeout. We’ll be back after the horn with a full recap.
Pregame
Gonzaga’s third game in its nonconference schedule figures to be its easiest yet, but even the Zags’ mid-major opponents carry a winning pedigree.
The No. 4 Bulldogs (2-0) host the UMass Lowell River Hawks (2-0) at 6 p.m. tonight at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The game will be broadcast locally on KHQ and nationally on ESPN+.
Gonzaga is a 26-point favorite according to vegasinsider.com.
UML, which finished second in the America East the past two seasons, are tied for fourth nationally with 10 seniors/fifth-year players.
The River Hawks opened the season with wins over Rivier and Saint Peter’s, before making the trip across the country to play the Zags tonight and University of Washington on Sunday.
The Zags romped Baylor in its opener and then were challenged for the entirety of a win over Arizona State. GU will enjoy a healthy size advantage tonight ahead of a marquee true road game at San Diego State on Monday.
Series history
This is the first meeting between the two teams.
Game preview
More on the Zags