WCC Game Recap: Gonzaga eases past San Francisco
By James Pigott
Dec 28, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Gerard Coleman (0) shoots against Santa Clara Broncos guard Brandon Clark (3) during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs beat Broncos 74-60. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The Gonzaga Bulldogs breezed past the San Francisco Dons 69-41 at the McCarthey Athletic Center on Monday evening. Drew Barham led the Zags with 15 points and 9 rebounds on 5/10 beyond the arc. Przemek Karnowski had 11 points and 8 rebounds, and Gerard Coleman, David Stockton and Kevin Pangos had 10 points each, with the two point guards in that group combining for 11 assists. Avry Holmes was the only player for San Francisco to shoot better than 50% from the field and the only player to score in double figures, scoring 16 points on 5/8 shooting.
Gonzaga jumped out to an early lead and the game was never even remotely close. Despite a long three pointer to beat the 1st half buzzer by Avry Holmes, the Dons were still down by 18 points going into the locker room. USF did not make any kind of run in the second half.
KEYS TO THE GAME REVISITED
Gonzaga
✓ – Utilize Nunez and Coleman: Coleman had 10 points and Nunez had 6 points and 5 rebounds. Considering that two games ago, they combined for 0 points, this is a massive improvement, especially since Dower and Bell were out. These two guys need to continue their positive play today for the next few weeks as Gary Bell Jr. remains out.
San Francisco
X – Solid point guard play from Matt Glover: Not even close Glover had 0 assists, 2 turnovers, and only score 2 points on 1/6 from the field. He needs to be the vocal presence Cody Doolin was. Point guard is arguably the most important position in college basketball and USF will have troubles if Glover is not producing.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
25.9%: That was USF’s shooting percentage, and it won’t be good enough agaisnt any time, let alone Gonzaga. Cole Dickerson couldn’t get going at all, and Kruize Pinkins was 0/10, contributing to that afwul figure.
MOVING FORWARD
San Francisco has immense offensive potential, and other than Avry Holmes, no player lived up to their potential. If just a couple of other players would have stepped up, this would have been a close game. They have 7 players averaging over 9 points per game, but when only one player reaches that number, it is going to be a long night for the Dons.
For Gonzaga, this was an encouraging win without 2 of their three leading scorers. Karnowski was a beast inside and needs to continue to be until Dower comes back. Pangos is doing his best fighting through turf toe, but I hope Mark Few can limit his minutes from time to time. Zags should feel confident going into the rivalry game with Saint Mary’s on Thursday.