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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga faces its historically toughest conference opponent in pursuit of perfection

Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer had 35 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to BYU in Spokane last season. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

The last regular season game for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and the final hurdle for them to clear before completing their perfect 30-0 season, is a home match against the BYU Cougars.

This will be the 17th game with the Cougars, who the Zags own an 11-5 record over.

Surprisingly, despite only losing twelve games since the McCarthey Athletic Center was opened for the 2004-05 season, Gonzaga has not beaten BYU in Spokane since 2014.

Last season, the Bulldogs suffered a rare home loss when BYU defeated them by a score of 69-68. Kyle Wiltjer had a double-double for Gonzaga, scoring 35 points and coming down with 10 rebounds.

Two years ago, BYU left Spokane victorious after beating Gonzaga, 73-70. Byron Wesley led the Zags with 17 points.

The Bulldogs first match as the No. 1 team in the nation this season was at BYU on Feb. 2. It was the Zags’ 23rd victory which they won, 85-75. Nigel Williams-Goss scored 24 of his 33 points in the second half to help Gonzaga hold off the pesky Cougars.

The two programs first met in the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Jimmer Fredette scored 34 points to eliminate Gonzaga in the third round. The final score was 89-67.