In a commanding performance on Wednesday night, No. 15 Gonzaga bounced back from a recent loss to No. 5 UConn with a resounding 100-76 victory over Jackson State. Graham Ike's 22 points in just 17 minutes, coupled with Braden Huff's impressive 17 points off the bench, fueled the Bulldogs' dominant display on the court.
Gonzaga coach Mark Few acknowledged the challenge posed by Jackson State, expressing his respect for their opponent.
"We put a lot into that UConn game. I was really happy with our guys' effort. I'm telling you, I think Jackson State will win their league. They've got some guys who are older. They've got a great plan… They had our full attention,"
The Zags showcased their strength in the paint, scoring 50 points inside and shooting an efficient 52% as a team. Nolan Hickman contributed 18 points, while Ryan Nembhard added 11 points and six assists. Anton Watson had an all-around impressive performance with 10 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Notably, Watson moved into second place on the school's all-time steals list, trailing only the legendary John Stockton.
At halftime, Gonzaga held a 41-29 lead, and they extended their dominance into the second half with a 10-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Dusty Stromer. The lead ballooned to as much as 37 points, securing Gonzaga's 19-0 all-time record against current SWAC opponents.
Graham Ike, who made 6 of 8 shots and 10 of 14 free throws, expressed confidence in the team's preparation.
"We just stayed confident in the work that we do and in the preparation, and we come out and do things like this tonight,"
In a commendable defensive effort, Gonzaga limited Jackson State's offensive options, while Ike and Huff dominated the interior. Ken Evans Jr. led the Tigers with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Chase Adams and Coltie Young added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Despite facing a challenging non-conference schedule that included a win at Missouri and losses to Memphis, Georgetown, and Houston, Jackson State looks ahead to their final non-conference game on December 29 at Northwestern.
Gonzaga, on the other hand, will host San Diego State on December 29, aiming to build on this convincing victory as they continue their pursuit of excellence in the college basketball season.
