Gonzaga crushed by UConn: NCAA Tournament live score recap, highlights
LAS VEGAS - The Gonzaga Bulldogs were one win away from a berth in the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Then they ran into the UConn Huskies.
UConn hammered the Zags 82-54 in the West Region final on Saturday night in Las Vegas. With the game still competitive, Drew Timme picked up his fourth foul on a controversial call with 17:39 left in the game and UConn responded with a 16-3 run to effectively put the game away.
Check out our live updates recap and big play highlights from Gonzaga's loss vs. UConn at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
(Refresh for the latest updates)
SECOND HALF UPDATES
FINAL: UConn 82, Gonzaga 54
Gonzaga's season comes to an end with a blowout loss in the Elite Eight. The Bulldogs could not make a shot and could not overcome foul trouble to star Drew Timme.
UConn 75, Gonzaga 45: This game is over, folks. 6:50 to play.
UConn 65, Gonzaga 40: Drew Timme has four fouls, the Bulldogs cannot score, and this game is all but over. 11:30 to play.
UConn 52, Gonzaga 37: This game is getting away from the Bulldogs. How long can Mark Few sit Drew Timme? 15:50 to play.
UConn 44, Gonzaga 34: The officials have just taken over this game. Drew Timme was called for his fourth foul with 17:39 left on a nothing play. This is called big men battling for position under the basket. It happens on almost every possession. You are seriously calling this in an Elite Eight game?
UConn 44, Gonzaga 32: The Huskies start the second half on a 5-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game. Drew Timme picked up his third personal foul just 25 seconds into the second half. Can Gonzaga dig out of another hole? We're about to find out. 18:57 to play.
FIRST HALF UPDATES
UConn 39, Gonzaga 32, halftime
Drew Timme and Julian Strawther lead Gonzaga with 9 points apiece. Alex Karaban leads UConn with 10 points and Andre Jackson Jr. has 8 points.
The Huskies are outrebounding (23-20) and outshooting the Bulldogs through the first 20 minutes. UConn is 5-for-16 from the 3-point line and Gonzaga is just 1-for-9.
UConn 36, Gonzaga 29: The Bulldogs are getting outworked and outhustled by UConn. The Huskies now hold a 23-18 rebounding advantage. Drew Timme picked up his second foul with 2:48 to play and went to the bench. 1:18 left in the first half.
UConn 28, Gonzaga 25: The Huskies lead by three at the final media timeout of the first half. 3:55 left.
Gonzaga 22, UConn 21: With 6:30 to play in the first half, the Zags finally hit a 3-pointer - and took their first lead of the game:
UConn 19, Gonzaga 17: The Bulldogs have clawed closer thanks to 7 points from Drew Timme and 4 from Julian Strawther. Neither team is shooting well and the game has lacked offensive flow. 7:53 left in the first half.
UConn 15, Gonzaga 12: Drew Timme has already been called for two traveling violations. The officials are clearly watching his feet tonight. 11:38 left in the game.
Gonzaga coach Mark Few talked to the officials during the timeout, specifically about the traveling calls. "We don't need to be splitting hairs on travels at this level if it's going to be physical," Few said to the TBS sideline reporter.
UConn 13, Gonzaga 8: The Huskies are out to an early lead with Adama Sanogo scoring six points in the paint. Drew Timme has four points for Gonzaga, but the Bulldogs are just 4-for-12 from the field. The first media timeout came late, so there will be another stoppage shortly. 13:30 left in the first half.
PREGAME UPDATES
5:55 p.m. - Get hyped, Gonzaga Nation:
5:50 p.m. - The tip off has been pushed back 10 minutes to 5:59 p.m. PT.
5:35 p.m. - We're about 15 minutes away from tip off here at T-Mobile Arena:
4:55 p.m. - Sweet 16 hero Julian Strawther is getting loose:
4:40 p.m. - The Gonzaga men's basketball team is in the building:
