By Nicholas K. Geranios / Associated Press
SPOKANE — Drew Timme had 25 points and nine rebounds as top-ranked Gonzaga held off a late challenge to beat Northwestern State 95-78 on Tuesday for the second night in a row.
Jalen Suggs added 19 points and Corey Kispert had 18 for Gonzaga (6-0), which owns the nation’s longest home win streak at 41 games.
Jairus Roberson scored 15 points to lead Northwestern State (1-9), which was playing its fourth game in five nights.
The Zags cruised to a 95-57 victory over Northwestern State on Monday.
The last time Gonzaga hosted the same non-conference opponent on back-to-back days was a pair of victories over Eastern Montana in 1965.
Gonzaga jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first five minutes and led 24-2 after nine minutes. The Demons made just one of their first 12 shots.
Gonzaga led 43-17 at halftime, after Northwestern State shot just 27% from the floor and committed 16 turnovers that the Zags converted into 17 points.
The Demons opened the second half with a 13-2 run to cut Gonzaga’s lead to 45-30. The Zags replied with a 12-2 spurt to push their lead back to 25 points.
A barrage of 3-pointers brought the Demons to 75-64 with seven minutes left. But it was their last gasp.
Timme scored seven points as the Zags pushed the margin to 84-64 with just over three minutes left.
POLL IMPLICATIONS: Beating Northwestern State twice should help the Zags retain the No. 1 ranking.
BIG PICTURE: Bulldogs coach Mark Few said his team desperately needs to play games, which is why the Zags played the Demons twice in a row. … The West Coast Conference selected Suggs, a freshman, as its player of the week for his 27-point effort against No. 3 Iowa — in just his fourth game.
UP NEXT: Gonzaga plays its fourth ranked opponent when it faces No. 16 Virginia on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. Northwestern State plays at Washington State on Wednesday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
