Game recap, analysis: Gonzaga crushes Creighton in college basketball showdown

Bulldogs blitz the Bluejays in wire-to-wire win from the Kennel

Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Braden Huff (34). | Photo by Erik Smith

Crossing the 2,000-point threshold would’ve been a big enough moment on its own for Gonzaga forward Graham Ike.

Not only did the fifth-year senior reach a major milestone Monday night, though; he did while having a career-night from behind the 3-point line, spearheading the Bulldogs in a signature win over Creighton in a top-25 showdown from the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Ike tallied with his third straight double-double to open the 2025-26 campaign, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a triumphant 90-63 victory over the Bluejays.

The 6-foot-9 forward who typically punished teams around the rim gave Gonzaga an unexpected boost from outside the arc, knocking down three straight 3-pointers in the first 4 minutes of game time to achieve 2,000 points in his college career, which began in Laramie, Wyoming, roughly five years ago.

A lower leg injury forced Ike to miss the 2022-23 campaign, resulting in a long rehab that stretched into his first year at Gonzaga in the 2023-24 season. 

All Ike did from there was earn back-to-back all-conference honors, lead the Zags in scoring in each of his first two seasons and earn preseason Naismith Trophy watch list recognition ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Creighton returned two starters from last season's 25-11 squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Greg McDermott lost his four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year in Ryan Kalkbrenner, along with Steven Ashworth and Jamiya Neal.

At his current rate, he’ll be contending for several more honors throughout his final season of college hoops.

Gonzaga put on another defensive masterclass as well, holding Creighton to just 7-of-25 from the field and 25 points in the second half.

Here is the live updates recap.

2ND HALF

Gonzaga 83, Creighton 54 (3:21): The Zags were ready to put the finishing touches on a top-25 win with just under 4 minutes remaining. Gonzaga put together another defensive masterclass, holding the Bluejays to below 25% shooting in the second half.

Gonzaga 74, Creighton 45 (8:13): The avalanche for Gonzaga continued into the latter portion of the second half, with Adam Miller capping off a 19-0 scoring run before Greg McDermott called timeout to stop the bleeding. Mario Saint-Supéry had a hand on both ends of the floor, as the freshman guard left the floor just prior to the 8-minute media timeout with 13 points on the night (10 in the second half).

Gonzaga 63, Creighton 45 (12:13): Mario Saint-Supéry got the Kennel fired up with a tough and-one along the baseline, and Jalen Warley kept the momentum rolling with a finish around the rim moments later after Graham Ike came away with Gonzaga's ninth turnover of the night.

Gonzaga 58, Creighton 45 (13:12): Graham Ike's perfect night ended after he missed a midrange jumper with 14:26 to go in the second half. He made it up moments later with his fourth 3-pointer of the night, doubling his previous career high and extending Gonzaga's lead to 13 points.

Gonzaga 52, Creighton 42 (15:46): Bulldogs rattled off six straight points over a 2-minute span before Nik Graves ended Creighton's scoring drought with a tough finish through contact, marking the Bluejays' first made field goal of the half. Gonzaga started 4-of-6 from the field, conversely. Both sides were often left confused by the referee crew's calls — from out of bounds rulings to live-ball whistles.

Subs (17:25): Tyon Grant-Foster jumped in for Emmanuel Innocenti after he picked up his third foul.

Gonzaga 50, Creighton 40 (17:35): Graham Ike continued to torch the Bluejays on the interior, knocking down his seventh straight make to start the game and put the Zags up by double-digits for the first time.

HALFTIME RECAP

Gonzaga 44, Creighton 38

• Ike leads Zags: Despite facing several double teams from the Bluejays, Gonzaga's 6-foot-9 forward was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including 3-for-3 from downtown, to finish the half 13 points. Ike was stymied on a few possessions where he had to face two or more defenders, though for the most part, he had the Creighton defense reeling.

• Fouls piled up: Four Zags picked up two personal fouls in the first half, including Emmanuel Innocenti, Adam Miller, Braden Huff and Tyon Grant-Foster. The Bluejays were able to capitalize with 11 made free-throws, matching the amount of shots they made from the field in the first half.

• Fast-paced start comes to a halt: Both sides came out the gate firing, combining for 40 points through the first 8 minutes of play, before picking it up defensively down the stretch of the first half. Gonzaga's second unit helped set the tone, with Tyon Grant-Foster, Jalen Warley and Mario Saint-Supéry doing their part during a 4-minute scoring drought for the Bluejays. The Zags also outrebounded the visitors, 20-13.

1ST HALF

Gonzaga 38, Creighton 33 (2:26): Zags managed to hold a 5-point lead despite making seven more shots from the field than the Bluejays, who started to rack up gimmes at the charity stripe amid some foul trouble for Gonzaga.

Gonzaga 34, Creighton 30 (4:00): Adam Miller broke away in transition and got an easy two points off a rare transition opportunity for the Zags. Graham Ike picked up his first foul after losing his handle at the top of the key, putting Creighton in the bonus for the rest of the half.

Gonzaga 32, Creighton 30 (5:00): Braden Huff picked up his second personal on a questionable foul call while defending a floater from Jackson McAndrew. Graham Ike checked into the game for his frontcourt mate.

Subs: Emmanuel Innocenti came in for Tyon Grant-Foster after he picked up his second foul. Braden Huff also went in. Creighton put Kerem Konan and Blake Harper back in the game.

Gonzaga 25, Creighton 21 (7:54): After 40 combined points in 8 minutes, the Zags and Bluejays buckled down defensively and managed just six more points between the two over the next 4 minutes. Gonzaga's second unit best Creighton's, holding the Bluejays without a field goal over a 4-minute stretch. Mario Saint-Supéry knocked down a 3-pointer from the wing to give Gonzaga a slight advantage on the scoreboard at the under 8 minute media timeout.

Gonzaga 20, Creighton 20 (10:44): Gonzaga's second unit flexed its muscles defensively right away, with Tyon Grant-Foster getting a hand on Ty Davis' shot attempt on one possession, then forcing a shot clock violation on Creighton's next trip down the floor.

Subs: Gonzaga subbed in Mario Saint-Supéry, Tyon Grant-Foster, Jalen Warley and Steele Venters for all the starters except for Graham Ike. Creighton swapped in Fedor Zugic, Ty Davis and Isaac Traudt.

Big man range 💪 pic.twitter.com/ueb3PrZUnc

— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) November 12, 2025

Creighton 20, Gonzaga 20 (12:03): A frantic start out of the gate saw the Zags and Bluejays combine for seven made 3-pointers before the first timeout of the night. Graham Ike, who hadn't knocked down a shot from deep in the first two games, started 3-for-3 from downtown, putting the fifth-year senior into the 2,000-point club for his career. Jackson McAndrew nailed a couple of 3s for Creighton.

https://t.co/YFioRHo6bZ pic.twitter.com/GgD7JFW2dF

— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) November 12, 2025

Gonzaga 6, Creighton 5 (17:53): Graham Ike drained an open 3 in transition, putting the Zags on the board first. The 6-foot-9 lefty nailed another moments later, only for Jackson McAndrew to answer with a 3-pointer of his own.

PREGAME

Channel switch: Tonight's game will start at 7:09 p.m. PT on ESPN News.

Starters: Gonzaga trotted out Braeden Smith, Adam Miller, Emmanuel Innocenti, Braden Huff and Graham Ike. Creighton started with Blake Harper, Josh Dix and Nik Graves with a frontcourt tandem of Jackson McAndrew and Owen Freeman.

Great to be HOME! pic.twitter.com/mTOQlJsTfk

— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) November 12, 2025