Josh Perkins shut down in second half after knocking down 13 points before halftime

GLENDALE, Ariz.—Josh Perkins was Gonzaga’s X-factor in the first half, scoring 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting and knocking down 3 of 4 shots from 3-point range.

The second half was not as friendly. UNC clamped down on the redshirt sophomore guard and Perkins failed to score a point.

Perkins said there wasn’t much difference from the first to the second half. He just lost his rhythm.

“I was in rhythm the first half,” said Perkins, who shot 0 of 3 from the field and 0 of 3 from 3-point range in the second half. “I was aggressive, made shots. I took the same shots in the second half, they just didn’t go in.”

Despite the flat second half, Perkins finished with his highest point total of the NCAA tournament and the most he’s scored since he poured in 15 at San Diego on Feb. 23.