No. 24 Gonzaga tops San Francisco 69-41

  • Associated Press
  • Monday, December 30, 2013 9:37pm
  • SportsSports

SPOKANE, Wash. — With two of Gonzaga’s starters out with injuries, and a third battling a foot issue, the stage was set for an upset by San Francisco. It didn’t happen.

Drew Barham scored 15 points, all on 3-pointers, as No. 24 Gonzaga beat San Francisco 69-41 on Monday night.

Przemek Karnowski added 11 points for Gonzaga (12-2, 2-0 West Coast). David Stockton and Kevin Pangos finished with 10 points each.

“It was a full team effort,” said Pangos, who is battling turf toe and was held eight points below his scoring average. “Everyone stepped up and played a big role. Everyone contributed.”

Avry Holmes led cold-shooting San Francisco (8-6, 1-1) with 16 points. The Dons made just 25.5 percent of their shots, to 43 percent for the Zags. Tim Derksen and Mark Tollefsen added 8 points each, while Kruize Pinkins grabbed 10 rebounds.

Gonzaga has won 20 straight conference games spanning three seasons.

Gonzaga played without starting guard Gary Bell Jr., who has a broken hand, and starting forward Sam Dower, who has an injured back. The team announced Monday that Bell, third-leading scorer at 12 points per game, will miss the next four to six weeks because of the injury that occurred in Saturday’s win over Santa Clara.

Dower, who fell hard on his back against Kansas State, is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis. He is averaging 13.8 ppg.

Players like Barham and Gerard Coleman have picked up the slack as five Zags scored in double figures. Coleman came off the bench to score 10 points.

‘We knew everybody had their back,” Barham, who made 5 of 10 from 3-point range and added 9 rebounds, said. “Everybody coming off the bench was going to give their best effort and what happened we could live with.”

Louisville transfer Angel Nunez, playing in just his second game since becoming eligible, had six points, five rebounds and a blocked shot in 14 minutes.

“He’s going to be a real threat,” Pangos said.

San Francisco coach Rex Walters said the fact that Dower and Bell were not playing did not impact his preparations.

“I didn’t care about that too much,” Walters said. “It was Gonzaga versus USF and you have to play the game.”

Gonzaga scored the first seven points of the game and the Dons had only two field goals in the first 8 minutes to fall behind 11-6. The Zags pushed the lead to 19-10 as San Francisco made just three of its first 16 shots.

The Dons were held without a field goal for more than five minutes and Barham and Pangos sank consecutive 3-pointers as Gonzaga extended its lead to 27-12.

Gonzaga went on a 9-2 run, including another Pangos 3, for a 36-16 lead. The Zags led 41-23 at halftime, despite shooting just 38.5 percent in the first.

San Francisco shot just 27 percent in the first half, making 7 of 26 shots. The Dons sank just four field goals in the final 11 minutes of the first half, including a 3-point buzzer beater by Holmes, who had 11 points in the half.

Gonzaga opened the second half with a 13-5 run, including a pair of 3-pointers by Barham, for a 54-28 lead.

The Dons have dropped 25 consecutive games against Gonzaga in Spokane, dating to their last win here in 1989.

San Francisco came in averaging 81.9 points per game and 51 percent shooting this season.

Gonzaga is 127-8 in the McCarthey Athletic Center since it opened a decade ago.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.