Gonzaga defeats Seattle U 80-72
Gonzaga Edges Seattle U in Thrilling Conference Showdown
The McCarthey Athletic Center was electric on Sunday evening as Gonzaga University hosted conference rival Seattle University in a back-and-forth battle that would leave only one team standing. In the end, the Bulldogs' home crowd cheered on their team to an 80-72 victory, as Gonzaga erased an 8-point halftime deficit to secure the win.
The first half was a defensive struggle, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. Seattle U came out hot from beyond the arc, leading Gonzaga by as many as 13 points at one point in the second half. However, the Bulldogs' offense began to click in the waning minutes of the period, and they trimmed the deficit to just two points heading into halftime.
Gonzaga's Braden Huff was a catalyst for the comeback, scoring 10 points in the first 20 minutes and setting the tone for his teammates. The senior forward's hot shooting was matched by Seattle U's Brayden Maldonado, who poured in 11 points of his own to keep the game within reach.
As the second half got underway, Gonzaga began to assert its dominance. Huff continued his torrid pace, scoring 10 more points and grabbing 6 rebounds to give him a double-double. Graham Ike also played a crucial role for the Bulldogs, hauling in 8 boards and chipping in with 24 points of his own.
Meanwhile, Seattle U struggled to contain Gonzaga's perimeter attack, which saw Braeden Smith knock down several key three-pointers to keep the lead from slipping away. The Cougars' offense, however, was stifled by Gonzaga's stingy defense, which allowed just 36% shooting in the second half.
As the clock ticked down, it became clear that Gonzaga would emerge victorious. With just over a minute remaining, the Bulldogs held an 8-point lead, and their fans sensed victory within their grasp. Seattle U made one final push, but it was too little, too late as Gonzaga sealed the win with two possessions.
Gonzaga's balanced attack proved too much for Seattle U to handle , with Braden Huff leading the way at 28 points and Graham Ike adding 24 more. Braeden Smith chipped in with 7 points and 6 assists, while the team collectively outrebounded Seattle U by a margin of 10.
For Seattle U, Brayden Maldonado led the charge with 17 points, but it was not enough to overcome his own team's struggles on offense. Will Heimbrodt added 10 more points for the Cougars, who shot just 37% from the field in defeat.
The Bulldogs' win improves their conference record and keeps them firmly in the mix for postseason contention , while Seattle U falls to 0-2 in league play. The loss serves as a wake-up call for the Cougars, who will look to bounce back next week against another tough opponent.