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Gonzaga Basketball

Difference makers: Jalen Suggs carries Gonzaga down the stretch

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

Jalen Suggs

Suggs took over in crunch time, scoring eight points in a 9-0 run that snapped a tie at 73. The freshman point guard wasn’t just good in the closing minutes. He finished with 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. He made 7 of 15 shots, including 4 of 7 3-pointers.

Joel Ayayi

Ayayi produced another steady, solid performance. The junior guard racked up 18 points and a team-high nine rebounds. His basket with 6:55 remaining gave GU a 69-68 lead, the Zags’ first since 13-11.

Turning point

Suggs provided the latest turning point of the season for Gonzaga, which scored nine straight points to take an 82-73 lead. Suggs drove and connected on a bank shot to give Gonzaga the lead 75-73. The point guard then went outside, drilling a 3-pointer from the wing and another near the top of the key.