Clarke leads No. 4 Gonzaga over Saint Mary's 94-46
AP
Feb 10, 2019
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Saint Mary's Gaels has been No. 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs's toughest nemesis in the West Coast Conference in the past decade. The Gaels didn't pose much of a challenge Saturday night.
Brandon Clarke scored 24 points and blocked three shots as Gonzaga routed Saint Mary's 94-46 for its 14th consecutive victory.
''That's a really good offensive team,'' Gonzaga coach Mark Few said of the Gaels. ''We contested all of their shots. We held them to one shot for the most part.''
Rui Hachmiura added 18 points and Filip Petrusev had 15 for Gonzaga (23-2, 10-0 West Coast), which is likely to move up in The AP poll after No. 3 Virginia lost to No. 2 Duke earlier Saturday. Zach Norvell Jr. added 12 points and Corey Kispert 10.
''That might be our best game, period,'' Clarke said. ''Our offense and defense were very good.''
The win closed a stretch where Gonzaga played the four teams just behind them in the standings - including BYU, San Diego and San Francisco - and pounded all four.
''We were playing the teams jostling around for second place,'' Few said. ''That's a great stretch.''
Tommy Kuhse scored 12 points and Malik Fitts 11 for Saint Mary's (15-10, 6-4), which has lost 14 of its past 17 games against Gonzaga.
Saint Mary's Jordan Ford, the leading scorer in the WCC, was held to eight points, 13 below his average.
The Gaels shot just 25.9 percent as Gonzaga's defense prevented them from getting clean looks. The Bulldogs shot 58 percent.
''I'd like to say we played hard, but I can't,'' Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett said. ''They crushed us inside.''
Gonzaga had a 52-20 advantage on points in the paint and won the rebound battle 42-31. The Zags scored the first 11 points of the game and jumped to a 19-6 lead by making its first seven shots.
Gonzaga led 30-10 midway through the first.
Kispert and Norvell hit consecutive 3-pointers to ignite a 17-2 run that lifted Gonzaga to a 53-20 lead at halftime. Saint Mary's was scoreless for the final 4:38 of the first half, missing six of seven shots.
The Gaels shot just 20 percent in the first (6 of 30), while Gonzaga was shooting 60.7 percent from the field and making 14 of 16 free throws.
Clarke scored 12 points early in the second half as Gonzaga pushed the lead beyond 40 points at 74-33.
The Gaels did not threaten after that.
TILLIE INJURY
Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie, who limped off the floor on Thursday and did not return, suffered a torn ligament in his right foot and is out indefinitely, the team said prior to the game. ''It breaks your heart,' Few said of Tillie, who has played only nine games this year because of injuries.
MAY I ASSIST YOU?
Gonzaga dished out 22 assists, to just one for Saint Mary's. ''I've got a really unselfish team,'' Few said. ''They'll make the right play for the most part.''
SHOOTING WOES
Saint Mary's made just 15 of 58 shots, including just 1 of 13 from 3-point range. Gonzaga made 35 of 60 shots.
BIG PICTURE
Saint Mary's: The Gaels, tied for third in the conference, dealt the Zags a rare home loss last season ... Jordan Ford averages 21 points and Malik Fitts 19 points per game. ... Saint Mary's and Gonzaga have met in the WCC tournament finals for seven of the past 10 years.
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs are seeking a seventh consecutive regular season WCC crown, and outscoring league foes by 29 points. ... Gonzaga leads the nation in scoring at 91 ppg. ... Clarke leads the nation in field goal shooting at 68.5 percent. ... Gonzaga has won 21 straight home games.
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's plays at Santa Clara on Thursday.
Gonzaga plays at Loyola Marymount on Thursday.
---
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1st Half
SMARY
Gaels
20
GONZ
Bulldogs
53
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Gonzaga
19:47
+2
Brandon Clarke made layup, assist by Zach Norvell Jr.
0-2
20:00
Jordan Ford missed driving layup
19:58
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
20:00
+2
Brandon Clarke made layup, assist by Rui Hachimura
0-4
18:56
Malik Fitts missed jump shot
18:54
Defensive rebound by Zach Norvell Jr.
18:39
+3
Zach Norvell Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Brandon Clarke
0-7
18:17
Tanner Krebs missed driving layup
18:15
Defensive rebound by Brandon Clarke
18:09
+2
Rui Hachimura made driving layup
0-9
17:49
Tanner Krebs missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:47
Defensive rebound by Rui Hachimura
17:42
Shooting foul on Jordan Hunter
17:42
+1
Brandon Clarke made 1st of 2 free throws
0-10
17:42
+1
Brandon Clarke made 2nd of 2 free throws
0-11
17:15
Malik Fitts missed driving layup, blocked by Rui Hachimura
17:13
Defensive rebound by Rui Hachimura
17:08
Offensive foul on Corey Kispert
17:08
Turnover on Corey Kispert
16:52
+2
Tanner Krebs made jump shot
2-11
16:44
Lost ball turnover on Brandon Clarke, stolen by Tanner Krebs
16:30
Tommy Kuhse missed layup
16:28
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
16:28
Personal foul on Matthias Tass
16:18
Shooting foul on Malik Fitts
16:18
+1
Brandon Clarke made 1st of 2 free throws
2-12
16:18
Brandon Clarke missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:18
Defensive rebound by Tanner Krebs
15:53
Bad pass turnover on Jordan Ford, stolen by Rui Hachimura
15:40
+2
Rui Hachimura made layup, assist by Josh Perkins
2-14
15:24
Tanner Krebs missed jump shot
15:22
Offensive rebound by Matthias Tass
15:07
+2
Tommy Kuhse made driving layup
4-14
14:49
+3
Brandon Clarke made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Josh Perkins
4-17
14:28
+2
Tommy Kuhse made floating jump shot
6-17
14:14
+2
Rui Hachimura made alley-oop shot, assist by Josh Perkins
6-19
13:36
Matthias Tass missed layup
13:34
Offensive rebound by Jordan Hunter
13:31
+2
Jordan Hunter made tip-in
8-19
13:25
Zach Norvell Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:23
Offensive rebound by Brandon Clarke
13:23
Personal foul on Jordan Hunter
13:10
Geno Crandall missed turnaround jump shot
13:08
Defensive rebound by Malik Fitts
12:58
Personal foul on Geno Crandall
12:40
Malik Fitts missed jump shot
12:38
Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's
12:38
Personal foul on Josh Perkins
12:28
Elijah Thomas missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:26
Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's
12:20
Jordan Ford missed driving layup, blocked by Brandon Clarke
12:18
Defensive rebound by Geno Crandall
12:16
Shooting foul on Tommy Kuhse
12:16
+1
Zach Norvell Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
8-20
12:16
+1
Zach Norvell Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
8-21
11:51
Elijah Thomas missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:49
Defensive rebound by Brandon Clarke
11:39
Traveling violation turnover on Filip Petrusev
11:20
Bad pass turnover on Jordan Ford, stolen by Zach Norvell Jr.
11:18
Shooting foul on Malik Fitts
11:18
+1
Zach Norvell Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
8-22
11:18
+1
Zach Norvell Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
8-23
10:50
Shooting foul on Filip Petrusev
10:50
+1
Tommy Kuhse made 1st of 3 free throws
9-23
10:50
Tommy Kuhse missed 2nd of 3 free throws
10:50
+1
Tommy Kuhse made 3rd of 3 free throws
10-23
10:25
+3
Jeremy Jones made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Filip Petrusev
10-26
10:10
Jordan Ford missed layup
10:08
Defensive rebound by Geno Crandall
10:02
+2
Geno Crandall made driving layup
10-28
9:47
Tommy Kuhse missed hook shot
9:44
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
9:46
Personal foul on Jordan Hunter
9:46
+1
Filip Petrusev made 1st of 2 free throws
10-29
9:46
+1
Filip Petrusev made 2nd of 2 free throws
10-30
9:30
Jock Perry missed hook shot
9:28
Defensive rebound by Josh Perkins
9:20
Bad pass turnover on Josh Perkins, stolen by Jock Perry
9:17
Shooting foul on Brandon Clarke
9:17
+1
Jordan Ford made 1st of 2 free throws
11-30
9:17
+1
Jordan Ford made 2nd of 2 free throws
12-30
8:55
Josh Perkins missed floating jump shot
8:55
Offensive rebound by Gonzaga
8:51
Rui Hachimura missed jump shot
8:49
Offensive rebound by Brandon Clarke
8:45
Brandon Clarke missed jump shot
8:43
Defensive rebound by Jordan Ford
8:37
Jordan Ford missed floating jump shot, blocked by Josh Perkins
8:34
Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's
8:19
Dan Fotu missed layup, blocked by Brandon Clarke
8:18
Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's
8:14
Jordan Ford missed jump shot
8:12
Defensive rebound by Rui Hachimura
8:03
Personal foul on Jordan Ford
8:03
+1
Rui Hachimura made 1st of 2 free throws
12-31
8:03
+1
Rui Hachimura made 2nd of 2 free throws
12-32
7:39
+2
Malik Fitts made jump shot
14-32
7:24
+2
Rui Hachimura made layup
14-34
7:03
Malik Fitts missed layup
7:01
Defensive rebound by Rui Hachimura
6:50
Geno Crandall missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:48
Defensive rebound by Dan Fotu
6:27
+2
Malik Fitts made layup
16-34
6:12
Corey Kispert missed layup, blocked by Dan Fotu
6:10
Offensive rebound by Gonzaga
5:59
+2
Brandon Clarke made dunk, assist by Josh Perkins
16-36
5:45
Shooting foul on Josh Perkins
5:45
+1
Tommy Kuhse made 1st of 2 free throws
17-36
5:45
+1
Tommy Kuhse made 2nd of 2 free throws
18-36
5:25
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Brandon Clarke
18-39
5:02
Bad pass turnover on Tommy Kuhse, stolen by Rui Hachimura
4:55
+3
Zach Norvell Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Geno Crandall
18-42
4:37
Personal foul on Geno Crandall
4:37
+1
Tommy Kuhse made 1st of 2 free throws
19-42
4:37
+1
Tommy Kuhse made 2nd of 2 free throws
20-42
4:22
Brandon Clarke missed turnaround jump shot
4:20
Offensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
4:14
Corey Kispert missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:12
Offensive rebound by Zach Norvell Jr.
4:10
+2
Zach Norvell Jr. made layup
20-44
3:44
Jordan Ford missed floating jump shot
3:42
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
3:35
+2
Geno Crandall made jump shot
20-46
3:05
Bad pass turnover on Tommy Kuhse, stolen by Brandon Clarke
2:46
Shooting foul on Matthias Tass
2:46
+1
Filip Petrusev made 1st of 2 free throws
20-47
2:46
+1
Filip Petrusev made 2nd of 2 free throws
20-48
2:26
Jock Perry missed hook shot
2:24
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
2:04
Rui Hachimura missed jump shot
2:02
Offensive rebound by Rui Hachimura
1:56
+2
Rui Hachimura made layup
20-50
1:41
Jock Perry missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:39
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
1:28
Geno Crandall missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:26
Defensive rebound by Dan Fotu
1:06
Jock Perry missed jump shot
1:04
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
59.0
Shooting foul on Elijah Thomas
59.0
+1
Corey Kispert made 1st of 2 free throws
20-51
59.0
Corey Kispert missed 2nd of 2 free throws
59.0
Defensive rebound by Tommy Kuhse
37.0
Bad pass turnover on Tanner Krebs
14.0
+2
Jeremy Jones made hook shot, assist by Rui Hachimura
20-53
2.0
Malik Fitts missed 3-pt. jump shot
0.0
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
SMARY
Gaels
26
GONZ
Bulldogs
41
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:43
Matthias Tass missed hook shot
19:41
Offensive rebound by Malik Fitts
19:24
+2
Malik Fitts made tip-in
22-53
19:11
+2
Rui Hachimura made jump shot
22-55
18:49
Malik Fitts missed turnaround jump shot
18:47
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
18:35
Josh Perkins missed finger-roll layup
18:33
Offensive rebound by Corey Kispert
18:27
+2
Brandon Clarke made dunk, assist by Josh Perkins
22-57
18:27
Shooting foul on Tommy Kuhse
18:27
Brandon Clarke missed free throw
18:27
Defensive rebound by Tommy Kuhse
18:14
Jordan Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:12
Defensive rebound by Rui Hachimura
18:02
Bad pass turnover on Zach Norvell Jr., stolen by Tommy Kuhse
17:49
Tommy Kuhse missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:47
Offensive rebound by Jordan Hunter
17:53
Malik Fitts missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:51
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
17:33
Shooting foul on Jordan Hunter
17:33
Brandon Clarke missed 1st of 2 free throws
17:33
+1
Brandon Clarke made 2nd of 2 free throws
22-58
17:13
+2
Malik Fitts made running Jump Shot
24-58
17:00
Bad pass turnover on Josh Perkins
16:40
Personal foul on Rui Hachimura
16:38
Matthias Tass missed driving dunk
16:36
Offensive rebound by Malik Fitts
16:36
Shooting foul on Corey Kispert
16:36
Malik Fitts missed 1st of 2 free throws
16:36
+1
Malik Fitts made 2nd of 2 free throws
25-58
16:29
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Zach Norvell Jr.
25-61
16:12
+2
Jordan Ford made floating jump shot
27-61
16:02
+2
Brandon Clarke made jump shot
27-63
15:51
Tanner Krebs missed turnaround jump shot, blocked by Rui Hachimura
15:49
Offensive rebound by Malik Fitts
15:43
+2
Malik Fitts made jump shot
29-63
15:25
Rui Hachimura missed jump shot
15:23
Defensive rebound by Malik Fitts
14:56
Shooting foul on Rui Hachimura
14:56
+1
Matthias Tass made 1st of 2 free throws
30-63
14:56
+1
Matthias Tass made 2nd of 2 free throws
31-63
14:42
+2
Brandon Clarke made driving layup
31-65
14:42
Shooting foul on Dan Fotu
14:42
+1
Brandon Clarke made free throw
31-66
14:25
Matthias Tass missed layup, blocked by Brandon Clarke
14:23
Defensive rebound by Brandon Clarke
14:14
+2
Brandon Clarke made alley-oop shot, assist by Josh Perkins
31-68
13:56
+2
Elijah Thomas made reverse layup
33-68
13:48
Zach Norvell Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:46
Defensive rebound by Tommy Kuhse
13:38
Bad pass turnover on Tommy Kuhse, stolen by Rui Hachimura
13:27
Brandon Clarke missed turnaround jump shot
13:25
Defensive rebound by Tommy Kuhse
13:14
Tommy Kuhse missed layup
13:12
Defensive rebound by Brandon Clarke
13:05
Corey Kispert missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:03
Offensive rebound by Rui Hachimura
13:02
+2
Rui Hachimura made tip-in
33-70
12:41
Dan Fotu missed layup
12:39
Defensive rebound by Zach Norvell Jr.
12:32
+2
Brandon Clarke made layup, assist by Josh Perkins
33-72
12:07
Jordan Ford missed floating jump shot
12:05
Defensive rebound by Zach Norvell Jr.
11:56
+2
Filip Petrusev made driving layup, assist by Geno Crandall
33-74
11:42
Personal foul on Geno Crandall
11:23
+2
Jordan Ford made floating jump shot
35-74
10:55
+2
Geno Crandall made reverse layup, assist by Josh Perkins
35-76
10:39
+2
Jordan Ford made driving layup
37-76
10:25
Zach Norvell Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:23
Defensive rebound by Jordan Ford
10:17
Jordan Ford missed running Jump Shot
10:15
Defensive rebound by Jeremy Jones
10:09
Josh Perkins missed floating jump shot
10:07
Defensive rebound by Jordan Hunter
9:52
Alex Mudronja missed floating jump shot
9:50
Offensive rebound by Jordan Hunter
9:49
Personal foul on Josh Perkins
9:32
Alex Mudronja missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:30
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
9:17
+2
Josh Perkins made fade-away jump shot
37-78
8:46
Lost ball turnover on Malik Fitts, stolen by Josh Perkins
8:26
+2
Filip Petrusev made hook shot, assist by Josh Perkins
37-80
7:55
Lost ball turnover on Jordan Ford, stolen by Geno Crandall
7:49
+2
Rui Hachimura made driving dunk, assist by Geno Crandall
37-82
7:19
Shooting foul on Filip Petrusev
7:19
+1
Tanner Krebs made 1st of 2 free throws
38-82
7:19
+1
Tanner Krebs made 2nd of 2 free throws
39-82
7:03
Personal foul on Elijah Thomas
6:58
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot
39-85
6:38
Tommy Kuhse missed driving layup
6:36
Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's
6:36
Personal foul on Geno Crandall
6:36
+1
Jock Perry made 1st of 2 free throws
40-85
6:36
+1
Jock Perry made 2nd of 2 free throws
41-85
6:17
+2
Jeremy Jones made floating jump shot
41-87
5:50
+2
Tommy Kuhse made layup
43-87
5:38
Joel Ayayi missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:36
Defensive rebound by Saint Mary's
5:13
Dan Fotu missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:11
Defensive rebound by Jeremy Jones
4:53
Filip Petrusev missed turnaround jump shot
4:51
Defensive rebound by Jock Perry
4:23
Elijah Thomas missed driving layup
4:21
Offensive rebound by Elijah Thomas
4:18
Bad pass turnover on Tommy Kuhse, stolen by Jeremy Jones
4:14
Joel Ayayi missed driving layup
4:12
Defensive rebound by Malik Fitts
4:08
Bad pass turnover on Malik Fitts, stolen by Joel Ayayi
3:57
Filip Petrusev missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:55
Defensive rebound by Jock Perry
3:57
Jock Perry missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:55
Defensive rebound by Geno Crandall
3:17
+2
Filip Petrusev made driving layup, assist by Geno Crandall
43-89
2:43
Shot clock violation turnover on Saint Mary's
2:36
Joel Ayayi missed layup
2:34
Defensive rebound by Dan Fotu
2:18
+3
Quinn Clinton made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Alex Mudronja
46-89
2:05
+2
Filip Petrusev made dunk, assist by Joel Ayayi
46-91
1:37
Matthias Tass missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:35
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
1:16
+3
Filip Petrusev made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
46-94
1:01
Personal foul on Jack Beach
1:01
Dan Fotu missed free throw
1:01
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
53.0
Greg Foster Jr. missed driving layup, blocked by Alex Mudronja