Buzzer breakdown: Gonzaga's blazing start, guard dominance and Braden Huff shines in starting lineup
Mar. 20—WICHITA, Kan. — Here are three observations from Gonzaga's 89-68 win over Georgia on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Another blazing start for Zags
Gonzaga scored the first 13 points and bolted in front 27-3. GU made 11 of its first 14 shots from the field, 4 of 4 on 3-pointers and had one turnover. Meanwhile, Georgia was 1 of 11 from the field, 0 for 4 on 3s and committed seven turnovers.
Georgia cut into GU's lead when the Zags were whistled for 12 first-half fouls, converting 10 of 14 free throws. Still, Gonzaga was in command 48-27 at halftime. The Zags held a 20-2 edge in points off turnovers after the opening 20 minutes.
Thursday's opening burst was even better than Gonzaga's fast start against Saint Mary's in the West Coast Conference Tournament title game last week in Las Vegas. The Zags raced in front 20-7 against the Gaels and went on to a 58-51 victory.
Hickman, Battle put on show
Nolan Hickman and Khalif Battle lit up Georgia's defense with a combined 29 points in the first half. Hickman buried all four of his 3-point attempts and finished with 15 points and three assists. Battle made two 3-pointers and scored 14 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds.
Hickman had a +27 plus/minus at half. Battle led all scorers with 24 points and hit four 3-pointers. Hickman finished with 18 points.
Two-big starting lineup 2 for 2
Gonzaga used its two-big starting lineup for the second consecutive game with sophomore Braden Huff joining senior Graham Ike. Gonzaga's guards were the driving force in the Zags building a big early lead, but the bigs chipped in as well.
Huff, in just his third career start, had seven points and four boards in 14 first-half minutes, producing a team-high +29 plus/minus. Ike added four points but was limited to just eight-plus minutes with two fouls. Huff also had two fouls but managed to avoid picking up his third.
Huff finished with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Ike added 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field.
Topics
-
Bulldogs with bite: Gonzaga storms out to big lead, powers past Georgia for 89-68 NCAA Tournament win
Mar. 20—WICHITA, Kan. — After a few extended scoring runs from Gonzaga, Georgia briefly turned the momentum midway through the first half of Thursday's NCAA Tournament opener. Dakota Leffew knocked ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Khalif Battle scores 24 as Gonzaga beats Georgia 89-68 in the NCAA Tournament
Khalif Battle scored 24 points, Nolan Hickman had 18 and eighth-seeded Gonzaga routed Georgia 89-68 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. Braden Huff added 18 points on 8-for-11 ...Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Recap and highlights: Gonzaga routs Georgia 89-68 in first round NCAA Tournament
Mar. 20—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 ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Gonzaga to face Georgia
Mar. 20—SPOKANE — The eighth-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs will meet ninth-seed Georgia in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Division I Tournament today in Wichita, Kan. Tipoff is at 1:30 p.m. ...Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Khalif Battle scores 24 as Gonzaga beats Georgia 89-68 in the NCAA Tournament
Khalif Battle scored 24 points, Nolan Hickman had 18 and eighth-seeded Gonzaga routed Georgia 89-68 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Gonzaga vs. Georgia odds, March Madness predictions, start time: 2025 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model
SportsLine's model revealed its college basketball predictions for Georgia Bulldogs vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs on Thursday in the first round of the 2025 NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 23h -
Ben Gregg, Graham Ike applaud former Gonzaga teammate Anton Watson's first NBA points
Mar. 19—WICHITA, Kan. — Gonzaga is busy preparing to play Georgia on Thursday in the NCAA Tournament, college basketball's biggest stage. But a few Zags made time Wednesday to applaud former ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Gonzaga earns No. 8 seed in NCAA Tournament, opens against No. 9 Georgia in Wichita
Mar. 16—Gonzaga is headed to Wichita, Kansas. The Zags earned a No. 8 seed for the NCAA Tournament where they will play No. 9 Georgia in the opening round on Thursday in the Midwest Region. The ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Top-seeded Houston rolls past SIUE, sets up round-of-32 showdown against Gonzaga
Mar. 20—WICHITA, Kan. — Houston's start wasn't quite as impressive as Gonzaga's in the ensuing game Thursday, but the Cougars left no doubt early on in a blowout victory over Southern Illinois ...Yahoo Sports - 16h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change
Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?
It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win
Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...Yahoo Sports - 29m
More in Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 23m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 23m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 23m -
Wood carded for signing autographs in NZ win
Chris Wood picked up a yellow card for signing autographs and taking pictures with fans during New Zealand's win over Fiji in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.ESPN - 23m