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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga-Illinois: 3 keys to the Bulldogs’ 84-78 victory over the Fighting Illini

Gonzaga guard Zach Norvell Jr. dribbles past Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili during the first half of a first-round game at the Maui Invitational on Monday. (Marco Garcia / Associated Press photos)
Gonzaga guard Zach Norvell Jr. dribbles past Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili during the first half of a first-round game at the Maui Invitational on Monday. (Marco Garcia / Associated Press photos)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

Key moment

Corey Kispert was 0 of 4 behind the 3-point line, but the sophomore wing shook that off to nail a clutch 3-pointer with 2:55 left to hike Gonzaga’s lead to 74-69. GU extended its lead to nine, but the Illini cut it to two. Jeremy Jones sealed the victory with two free throws with 9.9 seconds left.

Offensive MVP

Trent Frazier nearly shot down the Zags by himself, scoring 27 of his 29 points in the closing half, but we’ll give the nod to GU’s Rui Hachimura. The 6-foot-8 junior forward scored a team-high 23 points. He made 7 of 14 shots and 7 of 9 free throws.

Defensive MVP

Brandon Clarke had some rough stretches in the game, including committing a couple of fouls in the first 1:37, but he contributed five blocks in the second half. He checked Frazier’s potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 5 minutes remaining.