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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga-Creighton: 3 keys from the Bulldogs’ 103-92 victory over the Bluejays

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Key moment

Gonzaga finally reeled in Creighton’s high-powered offense, forcing three straight turnovers to help fuel a 12-0 spurt that gave the Zags an 84-73 lead with 8:15 remaining. Josh Perkins started it with a second-chance 3-pointer after Brandon Clarke’s offensive rebound. Zach Norvell Jr. added a pair of 3s as GU’s lead reached double digits.

Offensive MVP

Perkins, Clarke and Norvell could probably split the award. We’ll go with Norvell, who much like last year’s win over Creighton when he had 21 second-half points, started out cold but found his stroke over the final 24 minutes. He finished with six 3-pointers and 28 points, 23 in the second half. He matched his career high of 28 versus Ohio State last March.

Defensive MVP

Clarke pulled down 10 rebounds and swatted two shots, both coming on one Creighton possession near the end of Gonzaga’s big 12-0 run in the second half. Clarke or Rui Hachimura often were matched up against a 6-foot-4 or 6-5 wing and did a nice job defensively, particularly in the second half.