Drew Timme proves too much to handle, Ben Gregg provides a spark: 3 takeaways from Gonzaga's win over San Diego
SPOKANE - Before Saturday's battle with No. 15 Saint Mary's, No. 12 Gonzaga had to take care of business against San Diego on Thursday.
The Zags (24-5, 13-2 WCC) did exactly that, taking down the Toreros (11-18, 4-11) 97-72 at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
Here are three observations from Gonzaga's performance:
DREW TIMME PROVES TOO MUCH TO HANDLE FOR SAN DIEGO
Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford
Although Gonzaga struggled with 3-point shooting, it wasn't an issue for Timme, who produced all 22 of his points from inside the arc.
Timme was a force inside, making 9 of 14 shot attempts and grabbing 13 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass.
His ability to crash the boards gave Gonzaga more opportunities to score, as the team ended with 24 second-chance points.
With two games left, Timme is 57 points away from becoming Gonzaga's all-time leading scorer.
BEN GREGG PROVIDES SPARK OFF THE BENCH
Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford
After failing to score against Pepperdine, Gregg responded on Thursday by tying his career high of 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting. He also had seven rebounds and one block in 18 minutes.
“My role on this team is kind of to bring a spark,” Gregg said. “If guys are tired, kind of light it back up. Whether that’s doing offensive rebounds, diving on the floor, whatever I’ve got to do. Do the dirty work. I was able to get some points tonight, which was nice.”
In his second stint on the floor, Gregg registered 11 points in the final four minutes of the first half to give his team a 48-31 lead at the break.
Gregg scored in a multitude of ways, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers while also getting buckets around the rim.
Few has enjoyed seeing the sophomore forward's development.
"I would actually say just kind of his confidence and his belief," Few said when asked about Gregg's improvement. "I think he kind of beats himself up a lot especially when things don't go well or, or whatever and you know, we've just been always trying to instill in him that he is fine and and and when he brings energy and just hustle and all that, that's exactly what this team needs."
ZAGS STRUGGLE WITH 3-POINT SHOOTING
Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford
Being the highest-scoring team in college basketball, Gonzaga isn't accustomed to the shooting woes it experienced against San Diego.
The Zags shot 7-for-26 (26.9%) from 3-point range, their least efficient shooting night since making 26.3% of their long-range attempts in a win over Washington on Dec. 9.
Gonzaga's lack of 3-point shooting didn't seem to affect its scoring production, as the team almost reached 100 points for the eighth time this season.
Much of this was due to the Zags connecting on 32 of 45 attempts (71.1%) from inside the arc. They also outscored the Toreros in the paint 54-32.
