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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga-BYU: 3 keys to the Bulldogs’ 85-75 win

Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss gestures after hitting a 3-pointer against BYU during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Provo, Utah. Gonzaga won 85-75. (Jeff Swinger / Associated Press)

The No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the BYU Cougars 85-75 on Thursday at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. Here are the three keys to the Zags’ win:

Key moment

Nigel Williams-Goss came up with four baskets in a 1-minute, 40-second span after BYU had trimmed Gonzaga’s lead to 49-40 with 15:08 remaining. The Cougars kept battling back and Williams-Goss kept answering with key baskets or free throws.

Offensive player of the game

Williams-Goss took over the game, scoring 24 of his 33 points in the second half. The junior guard made 12 of 18 field-goal attempts and all seven of his free-throw attempts. He added seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Defensive player of the game

Gonzaga posts Przemek Karnowski and Zach Collins kept talented BYU post Eric Mika in check. Karnowski’s size bothered Mika, who still managed 15 points but made just 5 of 15 shot attempts. Collins ended up with three blocked shots.