Gonzaga’s Killian Tillie (left) and guard Geno Crandall tie up Loyola Marymount’s James Batemon during the first half of Thursday’s game in Spokane. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Gonzaga’s Killian Tillie (left) and guard Geno Crandall tie up Loyola Marymount’s James Batemon during the first half of Thursday’s game in Spokane. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Gonzaga beats Loyola Marymount for 8th straight win

  • By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS Associated Press
  • Thursday, January 17, 2019 8:57pm
  • Sports

Associated Press

SPOKANE — Known for its offense, the Gonzaga men’s basketball team has shown that it can win by playing strong defense lately.

Zach Norvell Jr. scored 17 points and the No. 5 Bulldogs beat Loyola Marymount 73-55 on Thursday night, the eighth consecutive win for the Bulldogs since a pair of losses knocked them out of the top spot in The AP Top 25.

Loyola Marymount used a slow-down offense to keep the scoring low, but the Zags were even stingier.

“We relied on our defense tonight,” Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins said.

Opposing teams are concerned about an offense that averages 92 points per game, and try to reduce the possessions, Perkins said.

“They took their time with shots,” Perkins said of the Lions. “They were trying to slow it down.”

Defense is “something we take seriously in practice,” Perkins said. “We struggled with it in non-conference.”

Brandon Clarke added 13 points, King’s graduate Corey Kispert 12 and Rui Hachimura 10 for Gonzaga (17-2, 4-0 West Coast), which beat Loyola Marymount for the 20th straight time. The Zags have won 18 straight games at home.

James Batemon led Loyola Marymount (13-5, 1-3) with 12 points.

“We gave up too many easy baskets in transition and in the post,” Loyola coach Mike Dunlap said of his team’s 42-24 deficit on points in the paint.

When his team trailed by 20 points, “we could have let the game go, but we didn’t,” Dunlap said. “The heart was there.”

Gonzaga led just 17-16 midway through the first half.

The Zags went on a 19-6 run the rest of the half to take a 36-22 lead at halftime. The Lions shot only 36 percent in the first and committed 11 turnovers.

A 3-pointer by Norvell highlighted a 14-2 Gonzaga run to open the second half that lifted the Bulldogs to a 50-24 lead. Meanwhile, the Lions were missing eight of their first 10 shots.

Loyola Marymount made just five of its first 20 shots in the second half, and fell behind 61-35 with less than 8 minutes left.

“I was pleased by the defensive effort,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said.

The Zags forced 17 turnovers, but committed 16 turnovers themselves.

“They are a quick-handed, aggressive team,” Few said. “I think we were casual with the ball.”

“You can’t go on the road and have as many turnovers as we did and expect to win,” Dunlap said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Mill Creek Little League softball players listen to former players talk about their experiences at regionals before the start of their practice on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Little League softball all-stars win state

The team will open the regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif. on Saturday.

Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on June 5, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper, Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks make rare deal to sign Nick Emmanwori for camp

How much do the Seahawks already value Nick Emmanwori, months before he… Continue reading

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) hits a home run during a game between the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez / Tribune News Services)
Cal Raleigh becoming known for more than his nickname

Cal Raleigh endured the busiest all-star “break” in the history… Continue reading

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

Caitlin Clark to miss WNBA All-Star Game after injury

Caitlin Clark is sitting out of the WNBA All-Star Game festivities. The… Continue reading

Chiefs’ Rice sentenced in 2024 crash, NFL suspension looms

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years… Continue reading

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

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.