Gonzaga Bulldogs 102, Pacific Tigers 76: Live score updates recap, highlights from WCC men's basketball game [2/17/24]
The Gonzaga Bulldogs handled their business against the Pacific Tigers in a 102-76 blowout at The Kennel on Saturday.
Gonzaga (20-6, 10-2 WCC) won its fourth-straight after getting 21 points from Graham Ike while Ryan Nembhard had his second consecutive double-double, finishing with 18 points and 10 assists to go with five rebounds in 34 minutes. Gonzaga shot 66.1% from the field and went 8-for-20 from downtown.
The Bulldogs are 15-0 this season when scoring 80 or more points and 14-0 when shooting 50% or better from the field. They're 17-0 when they knock down at least 30% of their 3-point attempts.
Pacific (6-22, 0-13 WCC) lost its 13th-straight game after it trailed by double-digits throughout, though a hot night from Nick Blake (20 points) and strong finishes from Donovan Williams (16 points) never let the Bulldogs pull away for good until late in the second half. The Tigers shot 41.0% from the floor.
The Bulldogs have won 23 of the previous 24 meetings over the Tigers and are undefeated at the McCarthey Athletic Center (13-0).
Here is the live updates recap:
FINAL: Gonzaga 102, Pacific 76
SECOND HALF:
Gonzaga 92, Pacific 68 (3:30): Huff hustled for a putback layup while getting fouled, resulting in three more for the Bulldogs.
Gonzaga 89, Pacific 68 (4:53): Nembhard picked up his 10th assist of the night on a pass to Huff for a floater just outside the paint. With 18 points as well, it's the second-straight double-double for Nembhard and the fourth of his career. Gonzaga rattled off a 12-0 run to extend its lead late.
Gonzaga 80, Pacific 61 (7:30): Gonzaga's pace became a problem for Pacific down the stretch, as Nembhard hit Huff on a deep pass for an easy score to cap a 7-0 scoring run. Nembhard accounted for all seven points with a 3-pointer, a breeze by Beard for a score and the assist to Huff, his ninth of the night.
Gonzaga 64, Pacific 50 (11:38): Nembhard shrugged off Odum on the baseline for his first points of the second half. The junior guard amped up Gonzaga's pace, as he took a missed shot from Williams the other way before dumping it off to Watson, who finished an and-one layup. Nembhard entered double-double watch with eight assists and 11 points.
Gonzaga 55, Pacific 43 (15:58): Williams got the Tigers going in the second half with an and-one score to break Gonzaga's halfcourt press. Bulldogs rattled off six straight points after that.
HALFTIME: Gonzaga 47, Pacific 34: Bulldogs shot a blistering 67.9% from the field and scored 24 points in the paint to lead the Tigers by double-digits at the break. Ike led all scorers with 15 points, while Blake had 13 points in 16 minutes off the bench for Pacific. Tigers mixed in a zone defense to rattle Gonzaga, though Hickman took advantage with three 3-pointers.
FIRST HALF:
Gonzaga 43, Pacific 28 (3:34): Ike rattled off seven-straight points, including three scores in the paint and a free-throw, to keep the Bulldogs out in front comfortably. Blake continued his hot night with another 3-pointer, his third of the night.
Gonzaga 38, Pacific 25 (6:46): Ike scrapped for a loose ball before getting off a pass on his backside to Gregg, who finished with a layup for his second bucket of the night. Blake caught fire for the Tigers with a pair of 3-pointers and a midrange jumper.
Gonzaga 23, Pacific 11 (12:10): Gonzaga kept up the pace with Nembhard leading the ship, as he scored seven points and dished out two assists early. Huff drilled a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 21-9 off a pick-and-pop from Nembhard, who drilled a jumper from the baseline on Gonzaga's next possession.
Gonzaga 14, Pacific 4 (16:00): Ike connected on a fadeaway from the baseline for his third field goal of the night. Greg Outlaw got the Tigers on the scoreboard again with a drive to the rim. Pacific had three turnovers in its first seven possessions.
Gonzaga 12, Pacific 2 (17:09): Bulldogs came out of the gate with five makes in their first seven tries from the field. Nembhard got a 3-pointer to go in transition, followed by a scoop layup a few possessions later after missing a 3-point attempt.
