Gonzaga defeats San Diego 93-99
Gonzaga Edges Out San Diego 99-93 in Thrilling Conference Showdown
The visiting Bulldogs of Gonzaga handed the host Toreros of San Diego a tough 99-93 defeat on New Year's Eve at Jenny Craig Pavilion. The tightly contested matchup was a thrilling display of back-and-forth basketball, with neither team able to pull away for an insurmountable lead.
At halftime, Gonzaga led by just one point, 37-48, but the Bulldogs managed to extend their lead in the second half. San Diego's defense stiffened, and the Toreros were unable to mount a significant comeback, ultimately falling short of the win.
Gonzaga's Jalen Warley paced both teams with a strong all-around performance, scoring 22 points while grabbing 14 rebounds. He was supported by Braeden Smith, who chipped in six assists and seven points off the bench.
For San Diego, Ty-Laur Johnson led the charge, pouring in 21 points on 2-for-4 three-point shooting and 75 percent from the field. Adrian McIntyre added 12 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists to complement his impressive playmaking ability.
While Gonzaga ultimately emerged victorious, the contest was marked by several key moments that showcased the talents of both teams. The Toreros' fast break offense proved to be a potent weapon, with 23 points coming from this aspect alone. San Diego's defense also held its own, limiting Gonzaga's scoring opportunities and forcing the Bulldogs into 15 turnovers.
In terms of advanced statistics, both teams performed well across various categories. Gonzaga boasted an efficient field goal percentage (62.3%) and a strong turnover ratio (19.5), while San Diego shot 53.0 percent from the field and limited their opponents to just 34.8% effective field goal percentage.
The win keeps Gonzaga atop the conference standings, but San Diego is still within striking distance of the top spot. The loss serves as a valuable learning experience for the Toreros, who will look to regroup and refocus in their next matchup.
Statistics:
San Diego (HOME) Game Stats:
- Field Goals: 33/62 (53.0%)
- 2-Point FG: 21/31 (67.7%)
- 3-Point FG: 12/31 (39.0%)
- Free Throws: 15/23 (65.0%)
Gonzaga (AWAY) Game Stats:
- Field Goals: 39/69 (57.0%)
- 2-Point FG: 31/51 (60.8%)
- 3-Point FG: 8/18 (44.0%)
- Free Throws: 13/24 (54.0%)
Key Statistic: Gonzaga's True Shooting Percentage of 62.2% was the highest among both teams, showcasing its overall efficiency on offense.