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Gonzaga Bulldogs 76, Syracuse Orange 57: Live update recap from Maui Invitational

Bulldogs face the winner of UCLA/Chaminade on Wednesday at 9 p.m. PST
Cole Forsman|
Gonzaga Bulldogs 76, Syracuse Orange 57: Live update recap from Maui Invitational
Gonzaga Bulldogs 76, Syracuse Orange 57: Live update recap from Maui Invitational

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The No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs righted the ship following their opening round loss to No. 2 Purdue on Monday, as they defeated the Syracuse Orange, 76-57, in the consolation bracket of the Maui Invitational.

The Zags (3-1) never trailed the Orange (3-2), who battled back to make it a two-possession game midway through the second half before a 19-5 scoring run from Gonzaga sealed the deal. The Bulldogs dominated on the boards, as they outrebounded Syracuse 48-28 and finished with 25 second chance points on 17 offensive rebounds. 

Four players finished in double-figures in scoring for Gonzaga, paced by Nolan Hickman's 19 points. Graham Ike finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Anton Watson had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Judah Mintz started the second half on fire, as he accounted for the Orange's first 12 points out of the locker room. The sophomore guard led all scorers with 22 points to go with four steals and three assists.

Here are the live updates recap:

SECOND HALF:

Gonzaga 66, Syracuse 49 (4:16): After getting a tough floater to go, Nembhard capped a 7-0 scoring run with a one-hand dunk from Ike, who stripped Mintz at halfcourt. The score extended Gonzaga's largest lead of the game.

Gonzaga 59, Syracuse 47 (7:23): Acrobatic layup from Mintz made it a two-possession ballgame before Hickman responded with his second 3-pointer of the half. Gregg pushed the lead to a dozen with a triple in front of Gonzaga's bench, which prompted a timeout from the Orange.

Gonzaga 51, Syracuse 41 (10:54): Jumper by J.J. Starling cut Gonzaga's lead to seven, its smallest advantage since the 16:54 mark in the first half, before a corner 3-pointer from Huff silenced the Orange crowd. The Bulldogs started 4-of-13 from beyond the arc.

Gonzaga 43, Syracuse 35 (15:07): Mintz put the Orange on his back to start the second half, as the Wooden Award contender started 3-of-3 from the field and accounted for all 10 of his teams points to cut into Gonzaga's lead. The Bulldogs started the half 2-of-8 with four turnovers.

FIRST HALF:

HALFTIME: Gonzaga 39, Syracuse 25: After he Orange cut it to a single-digit deficit, the Bulldogs responded with a 6-0 run that was capped off with a Ryan Nembhard dime in transition to Ben Gregg. Gonzaga dominated the first half with physicality, as it outrebounded Syracuse 25-17 and scored 30 of its 39 points in the paint. Ike paced with 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field, including a pair of dunks late in the half, while Watson chipped in 10 points. Mintz led the Orange with 10 points.

Gonzaga 31, Syracuse 20 (3:52): Hickman knocked down another floater in the lane for his third field goal of the game. Syracuse missed its last five shot attempts.

Gonzaga 27, Syracuse 17 (8:00): Mintz intercepted a pass by Luka Krajnovic for a fastbreak layup on the other end for his second basket, which prompted a timeout from Mark Few. The Bulldogs scored 18 of their first 27 points in the paint, as Watson led the charge with 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the field.

Gonzaga 19, Syracuse 8 (11:48): A floater from Hickman extended Gonzaga's lead to double-digits. Syracuse missed seven of its last eight field goal attempts and started 3-of-14 from the field overall. Watson and Ike had six points apiece early.

Gonzaga 13, Syracuse 5 (15:36): The Bulldogs jumped out to an early advantage behind a pair of baskets and free-throws from Ike. Syracuse's 7-foot-4 post Naheem McLeod picked up his second personal foul on a box-out attempt on Ike.

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Cole Forsman
COLE FORSMAN

Cole Forsman is a reporter for Gonzaga Bulldogs On SI. Cole holds a degree in Journalism and Sports Management from Gonzaga University.

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