Gonzaga-Portland: 3 keys to the Bulldogs’ 89-66 victory over the Pilots
Jan. 19, 2019 Updated Sat., Jan. 19, 2019 at 11:03 p.m.
Key moment
Gonzaga created a double-digit lead midway through the first half that it would maintain the rest of the contest. The Zags’ 11-2 spurt expanded their lead to 33-17. Rui Hachimura scored nine of the 11 points and Josh Perkins added a layup. The Zags’ lead never dropped below 12 points thereafter.
Offensive MVP
Hachimura was Gonzaga’s most reliable weapon within a balanced offense. He finished with 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting. The 6-foot-8 forward was the beneficiary of numerous nice passes from teammates, including an assist from Perkins for a dunk that hiked Gonzaga’s lead to 52-36 early in the second half.
Defensive MVP
This wasn’t Gonzaga’s best defensive night, but we’ll go with Geno Crandall, who had a big second half with 10 points but also had a steal and drew a charging foul. He’s quickly becoming the player Gonzaga turns to when opposing guards start to heat up, which was the case Saturday with Portland’s Marcus Shaver Jr. (18 points).
Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie, center, shoots past Portland center Theo Akwuba, right, and forward Jacob Tryon, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Craig Mitchelldyer / AP)
Local journalism is essential.
Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds.
Follow along with the Zags
Subscribe to our Gonzaga Basketball newsletter to stay up with the latest news.