Recap and highlights: Gonzaga routs Georgia 89-68 in first round NCAA Tournament

WICHITA, Kan. – Midway through the first half, Georgia briefly turned the momentum of a first-round NCAA Tournament game against Gonzaga.

Dakota Leffew knocked down a 3-pointer and converted inside on the next trip down, Silas Demary Jr. went to the line for a pair of free throws and Georgia finally stopped the bleeding at the other end, coming up with defensive stops on four straight possessions.

It amounted to a 7-0 scoring run … that cut Gonzaga’s lead to 18 points.

It required all of five minutes to determine who the superior Bulldogs were at Intrust Bank Arena. Gonzaga scored 27 of the first 30 points, established a 25-point lead in the first half and steamrolled its SEC opponent for an 89-68 victory.

It gave the eighth-seeded Zags their 16th consecutive first-round NCAA Tournament victory and set up a Round of 32 matchup with top-seeded Houston on Saturday. The Cougars cruised to a 78-40 victory over SIU Edwardsville in their NCAA opener on Thursday afternoon.

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Gonzaga built a big lead early with 3-point shooting and defensive prowess, keeping Georgia scoreless for the first 4 minutes, 10 seconds. The SEC Bulldogs were trailing 13-0 when they finally got on the board with an Asa Newell jumper. Georgia’s next basket, a layup from Demary Jr., didn’t arrive for another 4 minutes, 34 seconds, and only trimmed GU’s lead to 22 points.

Nine days after making 1 of 15 from the 3-point line against Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference title game, Gonzaga changed its fortunes in a big way, connecting on 12 of 20 and falling just two 3’s short of the program NCAA Tournament record set against Norfolk State.

The Zags had four double-digit scorers, led by 24 points from Khalif Battle, who finished 9 of 13 from the field, 4 of 7 from the 3-point line and had a season-high eight rebounds in his NCAA Tournament debut.

Guard Nolan Hickman scored 18 points and made 5 of 6 from the 3-point line, falling one triple short of his career-high, while Braden Huff finished with 18 points and posted a plus-18 in his third career start. Graham Ike added 13 points for the Zags.

BOX SCORE

First half

19:29 – GU 3, UGA 0: Georgia wins the tip, Cain misses and the Zags run out quick in transition. Nembhard finds Hickman on the wing for a 3-pointer to open the scoring. We’re underway in Wichita.

Zags made just one 3-pointer in the WCC title game and connect on their first attempt today.

16:46 – GU 11, UGA 0: Perfect start for the Zags on both ends, forced five turnovers and got another 3-pointer to drop from Nembhard.

15:59 – GU 13, UGA 0: Battle dishes inside to Ike for a layup ahead of the first media timeout. Zags 5 of 6 from the field, UGA 0 of 5. Experience really showing early, we’ll see how long GU can extend the opening run.

13:10 – GU 27, UGA 3: Total domination for Gonzaga. 

Newell finally gets UGA on the board, but Zags answer with a 12-0 run and UGA calls timeout.

Zags are 11 of 14 from the field and 4 of 4 on 3-pointers. Huff leads with seven points, followed by six from Hickman.

Georgia being held to 1 of 11 from the field with seven turnovers. 

7:55 – GU 30, UGA 12: Zags cool off, on a 3:06 scoring drought at the U8 media timeout. Georgia takes advantage with a 7-0 run, but still down big. James hit with his second personal foul.

3:40 – GU 40, UGA 23: Hickman makes three free throws ahead of the U4 media timeout. Georgia made up some ground at the line (7 of 11), but the Zags holding strong.

Battle has been excellent with 12 points and five rebounds, both driving inside and connecting from deep.

0:33 – GU 48, UGA 27: Hickman stays hot with another 3-pointer, Zags call timeout to try and get a good look before halftime. Hickman leads with 15 points, Battle has 14.

Halftime

Gonzaga opened on a dominant run and leads Georgia 48-27 at halftime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Zags led 27-3, playing well on both ends of the court. Nolan Hickman leads with 15 points and Khalif Battle adds 14 points and seven rebounds.

Gonzaga held Georgia to 28% from the field and 1 of 13 on 3-pointers with 10 turnovers. The Zags shot 59% and made 8 of 11 3s.

Graham Ike only played eight minutes with two fouls. Ike, Michael Ajayi and Braden Huff have two fouls apiece.

Second half

16:40 – GU 56, UGA 34: Georgia gets a couple of baskets to start the second half, but Battle and Huff hit 3-pointers to build the Zags lead. GU now 10 of 14 on 3s in the game.

15:44 – GU 58, UGA 36: Newell travels at the U16 media timeout. 

Huff hit a jumper on the other end, he’s up to 12 points and six rebounds, playing well after making his second straight start.

11:42 – GU 66, UGA 48: Georiga has been much better this half, cut Zags lead to 16 on a 3-pointer from Cain, but Huff gets a block on the next possession followed by a Battle jumper.

Battle up to 21 points for the Zags, making 8 of 12 attempts from the field.

Georiga has a 21-18 advantage in the second half, but Zags still in control at the U12 media timeout.

6:40 – GU 80, UGA 58: Huff called for his third foul at the U8 media timeout as the Zags run this one out.

Battle up to 24 points and eight rebounds, Hickman and Huff add 18 points apiece. Ike makes four Zags in double figures with 10. 

3:22 – GU 85, UGA 60: Ike called for his fourth foul at the final media timeout.

Zags going to win another NCAA Tournament opener. They’ll take on Houston on Saturday to try and make it 10 straight trips to the Sweet 16. We’ll be back with a full recap shortly.

Starting fives

Gonzaga: Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Khalif Battle, Graham Ike and Braden Huff.

Zags roll out same lineup from WCC championship, starting Huff for the third time in his career.

Georgia: Blue Cain, Silas Demary Jr., RJ Godfrey, Dylan James, Asa Newell.

Pregame

Here. We. Go.

Gonzaga is ready for its 26th consecutive appearance in March Madness.

The eighth-seeded Zags tip off against the No. 9 seed Georgia Bulldogs in the first round today at 1:35 p.m. in Wichita, Kansas. TBS will carry the broadcast.

The Zags (25-8) earned an automatic bid by winning the West Coast Conference Tournament and have won four straight leading into today’s contest. Georgia (20-12) was up-and-down this season, but picked up some big wins in the Southeastern Conference, regarded as the best in college basketball this year.

The winner will take on top-seeded Houston in the second round, who handled No. 16 seed Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 78-40 this morning.

Team stats

Individual leaders

Scouting Georgia

Game preview

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