SALT LAKE CITY – When Kansas stretched its lead to 22 points in the second half of Thursday’s nightcap, Gonzaga players and coaches likely started planning for a second-round NCAA Tournament matchup against one of the sport’s premier blue-blood programs.
The arrival of the Auburn University Tigers and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in the Lilac City played out like something out of an old Western.
Gonzaga, after hearing for days it was a prime candidate for a first-round upset in the NCAA Tournament, was nearly flawless in the first half, built a 23-point lead and coasted past the 12th-seeded Cowboys 86-65 Thursday at the Delta Center.
Unlike some of the other venues the Eastern Washington women’s basketball team could be playing this weekend, Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Oregon, is a familiar place to nearly every player on the roster.
An All-Pac-12 selection this year, Oregon State’s Raegan Beers scored at least 20 points in 11 different games this season while recording 15 double-doubles. In two Pac-12 Tournament games she made 19 of 32 shots and had four blocks and three steals. She is one reason why the Beavers ranked third in the Pac-12 in shooting (46.2%).
SALT LAKE CITY – Dusty Stromer’s mother and father were in the crowd at the Delta Center on Thursday, traveling from Southern California to Salt Lake City to watch their son’s debut in the NCAA Tournament.
Gonzaga, after hearing for days it was a prime candidate for a first-round upset in the NCAA Tournament, was nearly flawless in the first half, built a 23-point lead and coasted past the 12th-seeded Cowboys 86-65 Thursday at the Delta Center.
Reporters packed the interview room at the Delta Center the last two days for Monson’s press conferences. Similar to Wednesday, Monson conducted another master class on handling a tough situation with class, humor and humility.
The federal government announced on Thursday it wants to release up to seven grizzly bears each year into Washington’s North Cascades. The reintroduction effort would stop when the base population reaches 25 bears.
A GRIP ON SPORTS • This is pretty big day in these parts. Historical. Both Washington State and Gonzaga, the most well-followed college basketball programs in these parts, play in the NCAA Tournament. On the same day. It last happened in, well, 2007. That’s not yesterday.
SALT LAKE CITY – From the bronze John Stockton statue sitting out front to the banners that hang inside, tributes to the best era of Utah Jazz basketball aren't short supply at Gonzaga's NCAA Tournament site.