Gonzaga Can’t Keep Its Guards Up Icy Back-Court Shooting Costly In Wcc Opener At Santa Clara

After watching his guards make just 4 of 19 field goals in Friday night’s 72-61 loss to Santa Clara at Toso Pavilion, Gonzaga University coach Dan Fitzgerald felt obliged to offer a little historical perspective.

“The last time our off-guards made a shot was when there was a mission and the Indians were camping at the lake,” a disgusted Fitzgerald said. “It was Fort Spokane, and one of our guys ricocheted one and it hit something.”

Gonzaga could’ve used a friendly bounce or two against Santa Clara, which stormed to an 11-0 lead and didn’t feel threatened until Jon Kinloch shot the Bulldogs to within six points with 1:09 left by scoring 14 straight GU points.

Kinloch led all players with 28 points in what was the West Coast Conference opener for both teams.

Steve Nash scored 23 points for Santa Clara (10-3), which added GU to a list of victims that includes UCLA, Georgia Tech and Michigan State. Marlon Garnett added 15.

Kinloch made four 3-pointers in the final 4:21 as GU slashed into a 17-point deficit. Santa Clara held on by making 10 of its last 12 free throws.

“Santa Clara is the best team we’ve played,” Fitzgerald said. “They’re a lot better than the (Washington State) Cougars.”

Center Paul Rogers had 13 points and 11 rebounds for Gonzaga.

Kinloch (11 of 22) and forward Scott Snider (5 of 10) matched Rogers (6 of 12) with 50 percent shooting from the field, but the rest of the Bulldogs hit just 5 of 32. That included the 3-for-13 performance of point guard Kyle Dixon and the 1-for-5 display of guard Kevin Williams.

Poor back-court shooting has troubled the Bulldogs, unable to replace sharpshooter John Rillie.

GU visits Saint Mary’s tonight.

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