Gu’s Rally Stops Eastern Eagles Hold Early Lead, But Fail In Second Half

His team wasn’t particularly sharp offensively, trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half and was outrebounded decisively.

But Gonzaga University basketball coach Dan Fitzgerald couldn’t complain.

Not after watching his Bulldogs overcome a dreadful opening to subdue an improving Eastern Washington University squad 63-53 in a non-conference battle Friday night before a bipartisan assembly of 1,547 at Reese Court in Cheney.

“We’re not UCLA,” Fitzgerald reminded. “The time that you’re at Gonzaga and you’re not happy with a 10-point win on the road - you’ve got to be a little bit (realistic).”

Savvy point guard Kyle Dixon, who committed just two turnovers in 40 minutes, and forward Jon Kinloch displayed reserves of poise in turning a 24-13 GU deficit into a 31-29 halftime lead, and they were again the difference when EWU clawed within 46-45 with 7:45 left in the game.

Kinloch swished a 3-pointer for a 49-45 GU edge with 6:55 to play. Dixon made it 53-47 with an inside jumper after an aggressive move in the lane. Scott Snider stretched GU’s lead to 56-49 with a three-point play that started with Kinloch.

The 6-foot-6 wing exploited an EWU double-team by finding Paul Rogers underneath. When Rogers drew two defenders, he alertly passed off to Snider, who scored while drawing the fifth personal foul on Eagles center Adam Dean.

Kinloch then goaded EWU off-guard Curtis Porter into throwing a forearm after Porter had burned Kinloch for a baseline jumper with 3:03 to go. Porter’s jumper had brought the Eagles within 56-53, but his adrenaline-laced foul on the ensuing GU inbounds play put Kinloch where EWU could least afford the senior to be - at the foul line.

Kinloch, who led all players with 23 points, made both free throws for a 58-53 lead, forcing the Eagles into a more desperate strategy.

Kinloch converted on 8 of 9 opportunities from the foul line, all in the second half, when the Bulldogs made 17 of 24. EWU hit just 5 of 13 second-half free throws, missing four straight while trailing 33-29.

“They showed the poise of an NCAA Tournament team,” Eagles (2-8) coach Steve Aggers said, mindful of the Bulldogs’ appearance in last year’s NCAA Tournament.

“We played well enough defensively to win - we held them to 41-percent shooting and 63 points - but in a tight game against a good team, one or two possessions make the difference.”

For the first 12 minutes, the Bulldogs couldn’t have found a high-percentage shot with a map and compass.

This seemed curious, considering GU had its choice of mismatches inside - most notably with 7-footer Paul Rogers, who was often guarded by 6-5 EWU forward Kevin Groves.

With Rogers and front-court teammate Snider ineffective early - they combined for six points and five rebounds in the first half - the Eagles jumped to the 24-13 lead with 7:35 left before halftime. GU missed 10 of its first 13 shots.

Instead of panicking, the Bulldogs adjusted.

Fitzgerald switched to a zone defense that forced the Eagles into less desirable shots.

As EWU went cold, GU began to warm. Rogers finally converted inside. Kevin Williams drilled a 3 from the left wing, his only bucket of the night. Kinloch added an uncontested layup on a lightning give-and-go from Dixon. Snider made a gimme. And Kinloch made the comeback complete, making back-to-back 3-pointers. The 15-5 surge put Gonzaga ahead 28-27.

Gonzaga’s defensive switch left the Bulldogs vulnerable underneath, and EWU won the rebounding battle 41-25.

Dean had 10 points and six rebounds, point guard Travis King had eight boards, and forward Mike Sims seven points and six rebounds.

“Midway through the first half and on into the second half, we made them take some tough shots,” Kinloch said. “(But) if we rebound out of that and they don’t get second shots, that game isn’t as close.”

Gonzaga 63, EWU 53

GONZAGA (8-3)

Rogers 2-6 0-2 4, Kinloch 6-13 8-9 23, Snider 3-8 5-7 11, Dixon 5-12 3-6 13, Rollins 1-2 0-0 3, William 1-4 4-4 7, Nemeth 0-0 0-0 0, Leasure 0-0 0-2 0, Bond 0-0 0-0 0, Morgan 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 19-46 20-30 63.

E. WASHINGTON (2-9)

Sims 3-8 1-2 7, Porter 4-7 0-3 8, Dean 5-6 0-0 10, Rideout 3-11 0-0 6, King 2-8 0-0 6, Lewis 2-6 4-7 8, Carter 0-1 0-0 0, Egan 2-3 0-0 5, Thompson 0-0 0-0 0, Groves 1-2 1-2 3. Totals 22-52 6-14 53.

Halftime-Gonzaga 31, E. Washington 29. 3-Point goals- Gonzaga 5-10 (Kinloch 3-6, Rollins 1-1, Williams 1-2, Dixon 0-1), E. Washington 3-12 (King 2-5, Egan 1-2, Rideout 0-3, Porter 0-1, Carter 0-1). Fouled out-E. Washington, Dean. Rebounds- Gonzaga 25 (Rogers 9), E. Washington 41 (King 8). Assists- Gonzaga 8 (Dixon 5), E. Washington 12 (Rideout 4). Total fouls- Gonzaga 12, E. Washington 21. A-1,547.

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