NCAA Tournament: Gonzaga's season ends in 82-54 Elite 8 loss to UConn
LAS VEGAS — Gonzaga's 2023 NCAA Tournament run is over.
The Bulldogs fell to UConn 82-54 on Saturday night in a frustrating affair in Las Vegas.
The nation's No. 1 offense shot just 33% from the floor two nights after hitting 50% of their shots against UCLA. The Bulldogs made only two three-pointers, going 2-for-20 from long range.
Even though Gonzaga trailed by 10 points when it happened, one particular moment in the second half will leave Zags' fans wondering "what if?" for years to come.
With 17:38 left in the game and Gonzaga trailing 44-34, Drew Timme picked up his fourth foul during a Julian Strawther defensive rebound off a missed UConn shot. The official ruled that Timme elbowed UConn's Andre Jackson away from the ball, and Gonzaga coach Mark Few had no choice other than to sit Timme at a key point in the game. Timme had picked up his third foul on a charge just 26 seconds into the second half.
After the controversial foul call, UConn went on an 18-5 run to go up 62-39, which effectively ended the game.
UConn's Jordan Hawkins led all scorers with 20 points. Alex Karaban added 12 points for the Huskies and Jackson had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists. Adama Sanogo scored 10 points and snagged 10 rebounds.
Timme scored 12 points and Strawther added 11 for Gonzaga.
At the end of the first half, Karaban hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to put UConn ahead 39-32. He led all scorers with 10 points at the break. Strawther and Timme each had nine points at halftime. Gonzaga went 1-of-9 from three-point range in the first 20 minutes.
Jackson pulled the strings for UConn in the first half. He scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists.
UConn will play the winner of Miami vs. Texas in the Final Four on Saturday in Houston.
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Photo by Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports
