Recap and highlights: Gonzaga shakes off slow start to beat San Francisco
More times than not this season, Gonzaga’s been able to bank on consistent scoring production from forward Graham Ike and quality distribution from point guard Ryan Nembhard.
Lately, GU coach Mark Few has been more concerned about what he’ll get on a night-to-night basis from the six rotation players who haven’t appeared on national watch lists or All-America projections.
For every post move from Ike or assist from Nembhard, there was a key rebound from Michael Ajayi, quick cut from Ben Gregg or defensive stand from Emmanuel Innocenti.
Not all of it showed on the stat sheet, but it ultimately allowed Gonzaga to pull away during one of it more impressive halves of the season and beat San Francisco 88-77 at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
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Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Graham Ike (13) reacts afer scorig against San Francisco Dons center Carlton Linguard Jr. (2) during the second half of a college basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Wash. Gonzaga won the game 88-77. (Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review)
First half
19:28 – GU 0, USF 0: Dons win the tip and turn it over right away, Ike misses the first shot from the field.
15:49 – USF 6, GU 0: Zags yet to score at the first media timeout, 0 of 5 from the field and have three turnovers. Thomas hit a pair of 3-pointers for the Dons, who have missed their last four shots. Free throws coming for Thomas after a Battle foul.
12:31 – GU 11, USF 11: Nembhard ties it with a 3-pointer as the Zags snap in to action on offense. Gregg started the scoring with a layup, then Nembhard, Ajayi and Ike added baskets inside the paint.
11:27 – GU 16, USF 16: Zags briefly take the lead on another 3-pointer from Nembhard, Beasley answers with a 3 on the other end, but Huff makes a layup through contact at the U12 media timeout. Huff headed to the line to retake the lead.
Nembhard getting it going early, he has eight points. GU made seven of its last nine attempts after starting 0 of 5.
7:45 – USF 23, GU 21: Dons surge ahead with a 7-0 run as GU hits another cold spell from the field. Gregg snaps the streak with two free throws and passes to Ike, who converts and has a chance for a three-point play after the U8 media timeout.
3:21 – USF 36, GU 30: Dons keep the pressure on, they’ve hit their last four shots at the U4 media timeout. Zags heading to the line after a foul from Abosi.
0:22 – USF 38, GU 36: Dons take a timeout, looking to draw up a final shot and take a lead into halftime.
Halftime
Michael Ajayi scored a tip-in at the buzzer to tie Gonzaga with San Francisco at 38-all at McCarthey Athletic Center.
The Zags withstood and up-and-down half, where didn’t make a shot for over the first four minutes. GU regrouped to shoot 45% from the field, led by Ryan Nembhard’s 10 points and four assists.
Ben Gregg snapped two scoring droughts and adds eight points.
USF has relied on the 3-pointer, making 5 of 14 attempts. Malik Thomas leads the Dons with 13 points.
Second half
17:08 – GU 48, USF 44: Great start to the second half for the Zags, but Gregg picks up two quick fouls and goes to the bench. He’s GU’s leading scorer with 11 points.
Zags 4 of 5 in the second half, moving the ball well.
16:26 – GU 52, USF 44: Ike makes a layup then Ajayi picks up a loose ball and makes a jumper, Dons call a timeout as the Zags have a 14-6 advantage in the second half.
Quite the contrast for GU, scoreless for over four minutes to start the game and then 14 points in 3:30 to start the second.
15:04 – GU 54, USF 46: Linguard called for a foul at the U16 media timeout. Zags built a 10-point lead before Beasley made a layup.
Zags have upped their defense in the second half, have forced three turnovers in a short burst.
Ike has nine points in the second half, leads with 14 in the game to go with nine rebounds. Ajayi adds nine points and six rebounds.
11:23 – GU 60, USF 48: Nembhard makes a couple of nice jumpers as the Zags offense keeps rolling at the U12 media timeout.
Nembhard has 16 points and five assists. Zags 10 of 18 in the second half, doing most of their damage inside. Dons 4 of 11 in the second half.
6:47 – GU 71, USF 58: Innocenti called for a foul and the Dons will shoot two free throws on the other side of the U8 media timeout.
GU keeping USF at reach, but haven’t yet put the Dons away. Huff got on a roll and is up to 12 points – one of five Zags in double figures – but committed his fourth foul and went to the bench.
Two double-doubles for the Zags: Nembhard with 16 points, 10 assists and Ike 13 points, 10 rebounds. Ajayi has 11 points and nine rebounds.
3:42 – GU 76, USF 66: Thomas hits a 3-pointer while being fouled by Nembhard to give the Dons some life at the final media timeout. He can cut the lead to nine with a free throw.
1:57 – GU 81, USF 72: Ike rebounds a missed free throw by Ajayi and Nembhard hits a jumper to bring the lead back to nine, Dons call a timeout. USF had cut it to six points and things were starting to get tight for GU.
Nembhard has 18 points and 12 assists.
1:22 – GU 81, USF 74: Linguard hits a jumper and the Zags call timeout in the halfcourt looking to seal this one.
0:39 – GU 84, USF 77: Battle going to the line, Zags should hold on to win, but we’re going to play the free throw game.
Starting fives
Gonzaga starters: Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Khalif Battle, Ben Gregg, Graham Ike.
USF starters: Marcus Williams, Malik Thomas, Tyrone Riley IV, Junjie Wang, Carlton Linguard Jr.
Pregame
Gonzaga welcomes San Francisco to McCarthey Athletic Center tonight for a matchup of two of the West Coast Conference’s top teams. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN.
The Bulldogs (18-7, 9-3 WCC) trail the Dons (20-6, 10-3) by a half-game for second place in the conference standings, behind leader Saint Mary’s (22-4, 12-1). The WCC’s top two teams earn an extra bye in the conference tournament.
Gonzaga earned wins over Loyola Marymount and Pacific last week, regrouping from a narrow loss to SMC on Feb. 1.
Meanwhile, USF has won four straight, including a win over Saint Mary’s on Thursday. GU and USF will meet again to close the regular season on March 1.
Gonzaga is favored by 14½ points.
Series history
Gonzaga has a 74-22 all-time series lead over San Francisco and has won the last 30 meetings. The Zags haven’t lost to the Dons at home since 1989, when USF swept the season series.
Team stats
Individual leaders
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