Gonzaga-Portland: 3 keys to the Bulldogs’ 95-79 victory

Key moment

The Zags missed a few opportunities early to blow it open before separating from the Pilots with a 15-4 spurt. Josh Perkins buried two 3-pointers, Silas Melson added a 3 and Killian Tillie struck for six points as GU built a 36-18 lead late in the first half.

Offensive player of the game

Sophomore forward Killian Tillie did little wrong in a 27-point performance that tied his career high. He had 13 points in the first half, including a corner 3 that bumped GU’s lead to 43-27 with 1 minute left in the first half. He made all five of his second-half shots.

Defensive player of the game

Killian Tillie gets the nod after scooping up seven rebounds, three defensive, swatting two shots and making two steals. Tillie held starting power forward Tahirou Diabate to just four points and he spent quite a bit of the evening guarding smaller wings.