Wiltjer leads No. 2 Gonzaga to 81-70 win over San Francisco

  • Associated Press
  • Saturday, February 7, 2015 10:43pm
  • SportsSports

SAN FRANCISCO — Kyle Wiltjer scored 29 points and made a pair of 3-pointers in a key second-half run that helped No. 2 Gonzaga win its 17th straight, 81-70 over San Francisco on Saturday night.

Kevin Pangos added 17 points and Byron Wesley had 12 for the Bulldogs (24-1, 11-0 West Coast Conference), who were locked in a close game for about 30 minutes before pulling away for another win.

Mark Tollefsen scored 18 and Corey Hilliard added 13 for the Dons (9-16, 3-10), who have lost five straight for the first time since losing the first five conference games in 2012-13.

USF took its first lead when Matt Glover stole the ball from Gary Bell Jr. on the opening possession of the second half and fed Tim Derksen for a layup that made it 40-38.

Pangos answered with a 3-pointer and the game went back and forth from there with neither team leading by more than three points until Wiltjer hit a 3-pointer that made it 61-56 midway through the second half.

Przemek Karnowski added a basket on Gonzaga’s next trip and then Wiltjer hit another 3 to make it 66-56 with an 11-1 run.

Wiltjer’s big shots came after he briefly left the game with an injury. Wiltjer limped to the bench after scoring on a goaltending call earlier in the half and was tended to by the trainer before returning to the game.

The Dons responded with a 9-2 run before the Bulldogs sealed the game at the foul line.

Gonzaga led by six early before the Dons found their shooting touch and the game was tied at 38 at halftime when Tollefsen scored at the buzzer.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens pitcher Charli Pugmire high fives first baseman Emery Fletcher after getting out of an inning against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens tops Glacier Peak in key softball encounter

The Vikings strung together a three-run rally in the fifth inning to prevail 3-0.

Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez connects for a two-run home run next to Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim and umpire Mark Carlson during the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. It was Rodriguez’s first homer of the season. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Finally! Julio Rodriguez hits first homer of season

It took 23 games and 89 at bats for the Mariners superstar to go yard.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, April 23

Prep roundup for Tuesday, April 23: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) is taken off the field after being injured in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. The former first-round pick is an example of the Seahawks failing to find difference makers in recent NFL drafts. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
A reason Seahawks have 1 playoff win since 2016? Drafting

The NFL draft begins Thursday, and Seattle needs to draft better to get back to its winning ways.

Shorewood and Cascade players all jump for a set piece during a boys soccer match on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Shoreline Stadium in Shoreline, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Shorewood shuts out Cascade 4-0 in boys soccer

Nikola Genadiev’s deliveries help tally another league win for the Stormrays.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for April 15-21

The Athlete of the Week nominees for April 15-21. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Monday, April 22

Prep roundup for Monday, April 22: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Brynlee Dubiel reacts to her time after crossing the finish line in the girls 300-meter hurdles during the Eason Invitational at Snohomish High School on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. Dubiel placed fourth with a time of 46.85 seconds. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Big turnout for 34th annual Eason Invitational

Everett’s Ndayiraglje, Kings’s Beard and Glacier Peak’s sprinters were among the local standouts.

X
Silvertips swept out of playoffs by Portland

Everett’s season comes to an end with a 5-0 loss in Game 4; big changes are ahead in the offseason.

Seattle Kraken coach Dave Hakstol’s status remains in question after the team missed the playoffs. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Kraken GM leaves open possibility of changes

Ron Francis was mum about coach Dave Hakstol’s status after Seattle missed the playoffs.

Everett freshman Anna Luscher hits a two-run single in the first inning of the Seagulls’ 13-7 victory over the Cascade Bruins on Friday at Lincoln Field. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Everett breaks out the bats to beat crosstown rival Cascade

The Seagulls pound out 17 hits in a 13-7 softball victory over the Bruins.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, April 20

Prep roundup for Saturday, April 20: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… 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.