Gonzaga’s offensive prowess shines when Graham Ike and Ryan Nembhard sync up, especially when Nolan Hickman hits from downtown. And when Braden Huff’s bench contributions come into play, it’s just the icing on the cake.
In their recent game against Pacific at McCarthey Athletic Center, Ike was impeccable from the field, Nembhard notched double-digit assists for the second time in the week, Hickman proved lethal from beyond the arc, and Huff provided efficiency off the bench. The result? A decisive 102-76 victory for Gonzaga.
The Bulldogs hit triple digits on the scoreboard for the sixth time this season, shooting a season-best 66.4% from the field, surpassing their previous high of 63.4%. This remarkable shooting display marked the first time they achieved a shooting percentage of over 60% against a Division I opponent.
At one point in the second half, their shooting percentage soared to an impressive 70%. Despite Pacific’s strategy to capitalize on perimeter play, Gonzaga’s defense held its ground.
The Tigers managed to shoot 41% from the field and went 21 of 23 from the free-throw line, tallying 76 points.
This performance echoed their previous meeting earlier in the season when Pacific scored 73 points in a nine-point loss to Gonzaga.
Off the bench, Nick Blake led the Tigers with 20 points, while Donovan Williams contributed 16 points, both showcasing perfect free-throw shooting.
With a 20-6 overall record and a 10-2 standing in the WCC, Gonzaga sits two games behind Saint Mary’s in the standings, tied with San Francisco. Looking ahead, they gear up for a crucial three-game stretch against fellow top teams in the league. But first, they face eighth-place Portland next Thursday.
