Bulldogs awaken

As wake-up calls go, this one lasted a long time. Somewhere around 25 minutes, even longer if you count warm-ups.

That’s about when David Pendergraft and Larry Gurganious noticed that Gonzaga might not be in the proper frame of mind for its non-conference men’s basketball game with Idaho on Tuesday at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Sure enough, the Bulldogs found themselves in a battle until early in the second half, but they defended their way out of it and pulled away for an 80-43 victory in front of another sellout crowd of 6,000.

“We didn’t warm up the way we warm up,” said Gurganious, who provided a defensive spark for the second straight game. “We weren’t going as hard as we usually do.”

“We weren’t mentally focused and we weren’t coming in prepared and ready to play.” Said Pendergraft. “Obviously, the first half showed that.”

The second half showed that Gonzaga can play game-changing defense as Idaho managed just five field goals and 13 points. The Vandals (1-1) endured an 8-minute, 35-second scoreless dry spell and a near 11-minute span between field goals.

“We taught ourselves the damage we can create,” said Pendergraft, referring to the second-half turnaround, “but we also taught ourselves that we’re not good enough to showboat around or not take any game seriously.”

GU (2-0) jumped in front 9-0 in the first 3 minutes, but Idaho stormed back with a 24-9 run to take a four-point lead with 9 minutes left before halftime.

“I thought Idaho came in with a great plan for a half, or even 30 minutes,” GU coach Mark Few said. “They attacked us, they were tougher than us, they were smarter than us. I think they just wore down. They didn’t have enough bodies.”

Idaho’s three starting forwards fouled out and the Vandals were whistled for 29 fouls. GU was in the bonus situation for 29 minutes, but only partially capitalized, hitting 22 of 36 free throws.

“It doesn’t help when you lose your 3, 4 and 5 starters,” Idaho coach George Pfeifer said. “They play better defense than any of the Gonzaga teams I’ve seen just because they’re so much more athletic. There’s no easy place to get the ball to start your offense.”

The Vandals cut a six-point halftime deficit in half when Jordan Brooks drove the lane for a bucket while being fouled. He missed the foul shot – one of UI’s six missed free throws in the first 3 minutes of the half. Idaho finished just 4 of 18 at the foul line.

Gurganious’ dunk over UI’s Darin Nagle highlighted a 10-0 run that put GU in front 48-35. Trevor Morris answered with a floater with 13:46 left, but the Vandals’ offense screeched to a halt. Gonzaga led 50-37 when Nagle broke open, but a lob pass above the rim was a little off target. He committed his fifth foul on the rebound and then was hit with a technical foul.

“He was open. I’m not saying that would have turned the game, but that was huge,” Pfeifer said. “He fouls out and we miss a scoring opportunity. Two seconds later, (forward Michael) Crowell fouls out and it’s over.”

Crowell committed his fifth foul about a minute after Nagle. Three minutes later, forward Luis Augusto fouled out. GU expanded its lead at the free-throw line while Idaho continued to struggle to get good looks from the field.

“That was a great defensive effort in the second half, probably the best one we’ve ever had. I’ve been here 19 years, I can’t imagine any being better than that,” Few said. “But I was really disappointed with how they handled their success on Sunday and then their approach tonight. I thought we were really casual, just really loose with the ball. It started with our guards. They were incredibly loose with the ball. We have to get better play out of them if we’re going to go anywhere.”

Austin Daye led GU with 18 points, 12 from the foul line, and had six blocked shots. Jeremy Pargo had 14 points and Matt Bouldin 12, but they combined for 11 of GU’s 18 turnovers.

“I’m satisfied with the win,” Pargo said, “I’m not satisfied with that stat.”

Brandon Brown had 12 points and Trevor Morris added 10 for Idaho, which was outrebounded 48-29.

The Vandals visit Washington State on Friday.