Gonzaga defeats Pepperdine 56-96

Gonzaga Dominates Pepperdine in Statement Win

The Gonzaga Bulldogs made a statement on Tuesday night, cruising to a 96-56 victory over the Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. The dominant performance marked a stark contrast to their previous games, showcasing the team's ability to control the tempo and outlast opponents.

In the first half, Gonzaga struggled to gain traction, trailing by as few as two points at halftime. However, the Bulldogs' potent offense found its groove in the second half, outscoring Pepperdine 52-26 to build a commanding lead.

Gonzaga's Tyon Grant-Foster paced the team with an efficient 18 points on 2-for-2 three-point shooting and 85.7% field goal accuracy. The sharpshooter's contributions were a key factor in Gonzaga's ability to stretch Pepperdine's defense, which was already under pressure from the Waves' struggles at home.

The Waves' Styles Phipps led the team with seven rebounds, six points, and three assists, while Yonatan Levy contributed 15 points on 2-for-3 three-point shooting. Despite their efforts, Pepperdine could not overcome Gonzaga's balanced attack, which saw multiple players score in double figures.

The Bulldogs' superiority was evident across various statistics. They outrebounded the Waves 44-31 and forced 14 turnovers, which led to 24 points off those mistakes. On the other hand, Pepperdine struggled with its free throw shooting, converting just 13 of 20 attempts.

Gonzaga's performance was a testament to their ability to adjust on the fly and overcome adversity. The team's confidence and cohesion were evident in their play, as they consistently outmuscled and outmaneuvered their opponents.

The win marked a significant statement for Gonzaga, who will look to build momentum heading into conference play. For Pepperdine, it was a tough reality check, serving as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for the Waves as they navigate the challenging schedule.