Gonzaga Defeats BYU in Battle of WCC Heavyweights
By Josh Horton
Jan 25, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; The Gonzaga Bulldogs bench celebrates a three-pointer against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs beat Cougars 84-69. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Behind a raucous home crowd, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, (18-3, 8-1) downed the BYU Cougars (13-9, 5-4) by a score of 84-69.
Kevin Pangos led all scorers on the night with 24 points. He had a great deal of open looks and made the Cougars pay, knocking down 6 3-pointers on the evening. Sam Dower had 18 points as well for the Bulldogs, and David Stockton and Gary Bell Jr. scored 14 points apiece for the Zags’, rounding off their double-digit scorers.
Przemek Karnowski’s 5 rebounds was a team-high for the Bulldogs. Along with his 14 points, Stockton had 7 assists in the victory.
Tyler Haws was one point off of Pangos tonight, dropping 23 on the Bulldogs. Kyle Collinsworth and Eric Mika had 13 points and 12 points respectively in the losing effort. As productive as Mika was tonight – he had 9 rebounds to lead the Cougars – foul trouble hindered him all night and prevented him to see minutes when BYU absolutely needed him.
Collinsworth was BYU’s leading distributor tonight with 4 assists.
The Cougars fall to 5-4 in conference play and to fourth place in the conference standings with the loss. Dave Rose needs to regroup his squad fast in order for the Cougars to have any chance of salvaging their tournament hopes.
The Bulldogs, who were supposed to be in a rebuilding season, find themselves at 18-3 and 2.5 game lead over Saint Mary’s for first place.
Gonzaga travels to Santa Clara Wednesday, while BYU hosts Pacific.