Recap and highlights: No. 12 Gonzaga dismantles Maryland to reach Players Era championship
LAS VEGAS – The objective was two-fold for No. 12 Gonzaga on Tuesday night against Maryland.
With four other teams improving to 2-0 at the Players Era Festival before Mark Few’s team tipped off at MGM Grand Garden Arena, it was imperative the Zags beat the Terrapins to join a group of unbeatens in Las Vegas and stay alive in the championship picture.
Once they were squared away there, it was all about the points.
To qualify for Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. title game at MGM Garden Arena, Gonzaga needed a sizeable point buffer – at least 14 points against Maryland, and 24 over two games, to win a tiebreaker against Tennessee (+23), Kansas (+21) and Iowa State (+19).
None of those four were in position to catch Michigan, which impressively accumulated a 70-point margin in its opening games and secured one of two championship game berths before the Zags and Terps reached halftime.
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Knowing exactly what it needed down to point differential, Gonzaga didn’t have much trouble executing the game plan against a brand new Maryland squad still trying to find its footing under first-year coach Buzz Williams.
Thanks to a long-awaited 3-point shooting wave, the Zags were able to build a significant lead early and avoid any point margin drama late in the second half of a 100-61 romp at Grand Garden Arena.
Wednesday’s title game is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue in Vegas.
The seventh-ranked Wolverines (5-0) clinched a spot in Wednesday’s championship after thumping No. 21 Auburn 102-72 in a game that went final at Michelob Arena just as the Zags and Terrapins reached halftime roughly two miles away at the MGM.
Dusty May’s team won both of its first two games and maxed out its point differential (capped at 20 per game) with a 40-point win over San Diego State and Tuesday’s 30-point victory against Auburn.
Gonzaga’s 3-point barrage was spearheaded by expected and unexpected candidates. Steele Venters had a hand in the Zags finishing 14 of 32 from the 3-point line, making 4 of 7 to score 14 points, but Emmanuel Innocenti also joined the party, finishing 5 of 7 from deep to notch 15 points – his highest total in a Gonzaga uniform. Seven different GU players had at least one 3-pointer as the Zags eclipsed their previous season-high of nine 3’s, accomplished in a home win against then No. 23 Creighton.
Braden Huff led Gonzaga with 20 points, making 9 of 10 shots from the field, and Graham Ike scored in double figures, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.
First half
15:16 - GU 10, UM 4: Gonzaga has found its shooting touch to start the game, making a pair of 3-pointers to build an early lead.
Graham Ike and Mario Saint-Supery have made one 3 each.
13:25 - GU 18, UM 6: Zags stay hot from distance and are on an 8-0 run.
Braden Huff leads all scorers with five points.
8:10 - GU 32, UM 11: Gonzaga’s shooting rust from last night’s game is gone as the Bulldogs are 6 of 10 on 3-pointers.
The Zags are currently on a 7-0 run.
3:11 - GU 36, UM 25: The Terrapins are trying to climb back in this game.
Maryland’s Pharrel Payne leads all scorers with eight points. Huff has seven for GU.
Halftime
After struggling from 3-point range against Alabama, Gonzaga has found its stroke against Maryland and leads 47-32.
The Zags are shooting 12 of 17 from long range, capped by a fadeaway corner 3-pointer from Steele Venters as time expired in the first half.
Emmanuel Innocenti has a team-high nine points but was assessed a technical foul.
Pharrel Payne and Darius Adams have 10 points each for Maryland.
Second half
15:23 - GU 60, UM 42: Innocenti continues his hot shooting with his fourth made 3-pointer.
Ike and Huff have 11 points apiece.
11:28 - GU 69, UM 46: Gonzaga keeps the pedal down as it tries to earn a berth into the championship game.
The Zags need to win by 13 or more points to play Michigan tomorrow.
Innocenti has 15 points on five made 3-pointers.
7:34 - GU 76, UM 48: Gonzaga in full control as the game draws closer to the finish.
Huff, Ike, Venters and Innocenti have scored in double figures.
3:46 - GU 92, UM 56: Zags leaving no doubt in this game.
Gonzaga is winning the second half 45-24.
Huff is up to 20 points on 9 of 10 shooting.
Starting 5s
Gonzaga starters: Mario Saint-Supery,. Adam Miller, Tyon Grant-Foster, Braden Huff, Graham Ike.
Maryland starters: Darius Adams, Andrew Mills, David Coit, Elijah Saunders, Pharrel Payne.
Pregame
Gonzaga continues its run at the Players Era Festival against Big Ten foe Maryland.
The Terrapins reach the Sweet 16 of last year’s NCAA Tournament but lost star forward Derik Queen to the NBA.
Maryland (5-1) does have some familiar faces on its roster — former Cougars Myles Rice and Isaiah Watts.
12th-ranked Gonzaga (6-0) will have a chance to reach the championship game of the Players Era Festival with a win Tuesday after dispatching No. 8 Alabama on Monday 95-85.
The frontcourt trio of Braden Huff, Graham Ike and Tyon Grant-Foster helped the Zags dominate the interior.
Game preview
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