March 20, 2009 in City

Zags make plans for encore

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The Spokesman-Review photo

Sports, B1 >> Gonzaga special section
(Full-size photo)

After two consecutive first-round exits from the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the Gonzaga Bulldogs hope to stick around.

The fourth-seeded Zags took a step in the right direction Thursday in Portland’s Rose Garden, using a second-half surge to overcome Akron 77-64.

Gonzaga plays No. 12 seed Western Kentucky, a 76-72 winner over No. 5 Illinois, on Saturday in the second round of the South Regional. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:10 p.m.

“To get this first one is a really big deal,” said senior guard Jeremy Pargo, whose soaring slam dunk (pictured at left, on the cover of today’s special section) punctuated the 19th win in 20 games for Gonzaga (27-5).

Senior Josh Heytvelt scored 22 points – seven during the late game-breaking run.

In another first-round game in Portland, Washington defeated Mississippi State 71-58.

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