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Gonzaga Basketball

GU-Portland: 3 keys to the Bulldogs’ 83-64 win

Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams dunks against Portland on Jan. 23. (Steve Dykes / AP)

The No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the Portland Pilots 83-64 on Monday at the Chiles Center in Portland. Here are the three keys to the Zags’ win:

Key moment

Gonzaga broke it open with an 8-0 spurt to close the first half and take a 38-23 lead. Johnathan Williams started the rally with a dunk, Zach Collins and Killian Tillie each made two free throws and Silas Melson capped it with a floater in the lane.

Offensive player of the game

Williams made 5 of 7 shots and scored 10 points, eight in the opening half. The redshirt-junior forward been in double figures in four of the last five games. Williams is 32 of 50 (64 percent) from the field in WCC games.

Defensive player of the game

Guard Nigel Williams-Goss has been drawing the toughest perimeter assignment and that was the case Monday when he opened against Portland’s Jazz Johnson. Williams-Goss helped limit Johnson to just 4-of-13 shooting.