Gonzaga-San Diego: 3 keys to the Bulldogs’ 77-72 victory

Key moment

Gonzaga trailed by one with 4:30 left when Rui Hachimura took over. He scored eight of the Zags’ next 10 points as Gonzaga moved in front 67-60 with 1:20 remaining. Gonzaga closed out the Toreros at the free-throw line.

Offensive player of the game

Gonzaga went to Rui Hachimura on nearly every possession late and the 6-foot-8 sophomore came through time after time. He had a pair of field goals to put GU up 67-60. Hachimura, who finished with 16 points, hit two free throws with 6.2 left to give the Zags a five-point cushion.

Defensive player of the game

Rui Hachimura didn’t just deliver on the offensive end. The sophomore forward helped trigger a defense that shut down San Diego for a long stretch of the second half. He did a nice job defending point guard Isaiah Wright and the Zags were effective switching on ball screens.