No. 6 Gonzaga withstands late run to beat No. 15 Arizona
AP
Dec 15, 2019
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Sixth-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs was at its efficient best at both ends of the floor through most of the second half, building a 15-point lead over No. 15 Arizona Wildcats, ready to cruise to an easy victory over a tough road opponent.
Then the shots stopped falling. So did the free throws. Gonzaga committed a couple of key turnovers. Arizona had the crowd roaring with each basket. The lead was down to two in the closing seconds.
Any other team might have folded under the pressure. The veteran Zags kept their poise, pulling out a victory in one of college basketball's toughest road environments.
That's a sure sign of a veteran, resilient team.
Corey Kispert scored 18 points, Filip Petrusev added 16 and Gonzaga held on for an 84-80 win on Saturday night.
''We're really resilient,'' said Gonzaga's Joel Ayayi, who had 15 points. ''We never quit. We never think the game's over until it's over. For us to win on the road in that type of atmosphere is a pretty good win.''
The Zags (11-1) fought through a tense first half and shut down Arizona during two second-half runs to go up 80-65 with 2:12 left.
Arizona (10-2) then went on a 15-2 run. Jemarl Baker scored on a driving layup to pull Arizona within 82-80, but Ryan Woolridge shut out the crowd noise and sealed it by hitting two free throws with 1.7 seconds left.
The Bulldogs won their 10th straight road game to extend the nation's longest streak. They did it with Killian Tillie in foul trouble most of the night before he limped off to the locker room with about seven minutes left.
''When you get a win here, I'm not going to worry about how we got to that point,'' Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. ''To get a win in this building, against that team, in this kind of environment is special.''
The Wildcats started strong with a boost from a boisterous McKale Center crowd and Zeke Nnaji's early energy.
After that, Arizona struggled from the perimeter and had numerous defensive breakdowns in the second half as Gonzaga pulled away, prompting Arizona coach Sean Miller to repeatedly point to his assistants and yell ''Get him out of there!''
The Wildcats finally found some cohesiveness at both ends during the furious closing stretch.
Nnaji had 14 points and 17 rebounds - nine offensive - and Josh Green added 17 points for Arizona, which shot 8 for 30 from 3-point range.
''We just didn't shoot the ball like we're capable,'' Miller said. ''Some of it we just need to execute better, but we had some good ones. When you get good looks in the game, you've got to knock them in.''
Revved up by a the crowd, the Wildcats crushed the Zags on the glass early - a huge point of emphasis by Miller against Gonzaga's big front line. Arizona had nine offensive rebounds in the first eight minutes to build a nine-point lead and make up for an 0-for-7 start from 3-point range.
The Bulldogs clawed their way back as the Wildcats continued to clank from the perimeter - 1 for 15 from 3 - and led 35-34 at halftime. Arizona had 13 second-chance points on 12 offensive rebounds in the first half.
Gonzaga cleaned up its defensive glass issues to open the second half and used a 12-0 run to go up 54-45. The Zags continued to take advantage of Arizona's defensive miscues and went on an 8-0 run to push the lead to 69-55.
The Wildcats had one more run left, but ran out of time.
''When you look at it, we shot the ball poor,'' Green said. ''Those days are going to come. It's just one of those games.''
MANNING MANNION
Arizona freshman Nico Mannion has been superb this season, both scoring and setting up teammates.
He did not have a great shooting night against Gonzaga.
Pressured by Woolridge all game, the Wildcats' point guard had seven points on 3-for-20 shooting, including 1 for 10 on 3-point attempts. He did finish with 10 assists and had a solid night defensively.
''He (Wooldridge) did an awesome job guarding him all night long,'' Ayayi said. ''It was a team effort, but a lot of it was just him guarding him by himself.''
UP NEXT
Gonzaga hosts No. 17 North Carolina on Wednesday.
Arizona plays St. John's next Saturday in San Francisco.
---
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Copyright 2019 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
1st Half
GONZ
Bulldogs
35
ARIZ
Wildcats
34
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Arizona
19:29
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:27
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
19:22
Traveling violation turnover on Ryan Woolridge
19:12
Josh Green missed jump shot
19:10
Offensive rebound by Chase Jeter
19:03
+2
Chase Jeter made layup
0-2
18:52
Killian Tillie missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:50
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
18:39
Dylan Smith missed layup
18:37
Defensive rebound by Killian Tillie
18:32
Corey Kispert missed jump shot
18:30
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
18:24
+2
Nico Mannion made layup
0-4
17:58
Filip Petrusev missed jump shot
17:56
Defensive rebound by Nico Mannion
17:50
+2
Zeke Nnaji made jump shot, assist by Nico Mannion
0-6
17:41
Personal foul on Chase Jeter
17:37
Corey Kispert missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:35
Offensive rebound by Gonzaga
17:23
+2
Ryan Woolridge made layup, assist by Killian Tillie
2-6
17:17
Josh Green missed layup, blocked by Filip Petrusev
17:15
Offensive rebound by Arizona
17:09
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:07
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
17:05
Shooting foul on Killian Tillie
17:05
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
2-7
17:05
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
2-8
16:44
+2
Killian Tillie made jump shot
4-8
16:27
Nico Mannion missed jump shot
16:25
Defensive rebound by Killian Tillie
16:19
Bad pass turnover on Killian Tillie
16:08
+2
Josh Green made alley-oop shot, assist by Nico Mannion
4-10
15:53
Filip Petrusev missed layup
15:51
Defensive rebound by Nico Mannion
15:49
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:47
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
15:41
Shooting foul on Drew Timme
15:42
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
4-11
15:42
Zeke Nnaji missed 2nd of 2 free throws
15:42
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
15:30
+3
Joel Ayayi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Anton Watson
7-11
14:57
Nico Mannion missed jump shot
14:55
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
14:50
Lost ball turnover on Joel Ayayi, stolen by Jemarl Baker Jr.
14:32
+2
Zeke Nnaji made layup, assist by Jemarl Baker Jr.
7-13
14:33
Shooting foul on Anton Watson
14:33
+1
Zeke Nnaji made free throw
7-14
14:18
Drew Timme missed jump shot
14:16
Defensive rebound by Ira Lee
14:08
+2
Chase Jeter made layup
7-16
13:47
+2
Drew Timme made jump shot
9-16
13:35
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed jump shot
13:33
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
13:22
Killian Tillie missed layup
13:20
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
13:14
Josh Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:12
Defensive rebound by Drew Timme
13:12
Personal foul on Ira Lee
12:53
Shooting foul on Max Hazzard
12:53
Ryan Woolridge missed 1st of 2 free throws
12:53
+1
Ryan Woolridge made 2nd of 2 free throws
10-16
12:39
Max Hazzard missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:37
Defensive rebound by Admon Gilder
12:21
Admon Gilder missed jump shot
12:19
Defensive rebound by Jemarl Baker Jr.
12:01
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:59
Offensive rebound by Ira Lee
11:55
Ira Lee missed layup, blocked by Killian Tillie
11:53
Offensive rebound by Josh Green
11:46
Zeke Nnaji missed layup, blocked by Filip Petrusev
11:44
Offensive rebound by Arizona
11:39
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:37
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
11:20
Nico Mannion missed layup
11:18
Offensive rebound by Chase Jeter
11:21
Personal foul on Killian Tillie
11:04
+3
Max Hazzard made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nico Mannion
10-19
10:31
+2
Drew Timme made jump shot
12-19
10:21
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:19
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
10:13
+3
Admon Gilder made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ryan Woolridge
15-19
9:47
Chase Jeter missed layup, blocked by Filip Petrusev
9:45
Defensive rebound by Ryan Woolridge
9:39
Personal foul on Nico Mannion
9:32
Jumpball received by Gonzaga
9:32
Personal foul on Jemarl Baker Jr.
9:26
Admon Gilder missed layup
9:24
Offensive rebound by Drew Timme
9:18
+2
Drew Timme made layup
17-19
9:08
Personal foul on Filip Petrusev
9:08
Personal foul on Admon Gilder
8:53
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:51
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
8:43
Personal foul on Zeke Nnaji
8:30
Joel Ayayi missed layup
8:28
Offensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
8:24
Filip Petrusev missed layup, blocked by Zeke Nnaji
8:22
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
8:18
Lost ball turnover on Dylan Smith, stolen by Filip Petrusev
8:09
Drew Timme missed jump shot
8:07
Defensive rebound by Christian Koloko
8:02
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:00
Offensive rebound by Arizona
7:44
Josh Green missed jump shot
7:42
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
7:23
+2
Josh Green made jump shot
17-21
7:23
Shooting foul on Drew Timme
7:23
+1
Josh Green made free throw
17-22
7:06
+2
Filip Petrusev made layup, assist by Joel Ayayi
19-22
6:48
Josh Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:46
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
6:41
+2
Zeke Nnaji made layup
19-24
6:28
Killian Tillie missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:26
Offensive rebound by Corey Kispert
6:19
+3
Joel Ayayi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ryan Woolridge
22-24
5:53
+2
Ira Lee made dunk, assist by Nico Mannion
22-26
5:33
+2
Corey Kispert made layup
24-26
5:20
Personal foul on Corey Kispert
5:20
+1
Josh Green made 1st of 2 free throws
24-27
5:20
+1
Josh Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
24-28
4:59
+2
Filip Petrusev made dunk, assist by Joel Ayayi
26-28
4:33
+2
Josh Green made jump shot, assist by Dylan Smith
26-30
4:16
Corey Kispert missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:14
Offensive rebound by Admon Gilder
4:08
Admon Gilder missed layup
4:06
Defensive rebound by Arizona
3:51
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:49
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
3:44
+2
Joel Ayayi made layup
28-30
3:26
Shooting foul on Admon Gilder
3:27
+1
Josh Green made 1st of 2 free throws
28-31
3:27
+1
Josh Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
28-32
3:15
+2
Corey Kispert made layup
30-32
2:55
Nico Mannion missed layup
2:53
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
2:48
Offensive foul on Ryan Woolridge
2:48
Turnover on Ryan Woolridge
2:28
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:26
Defensive rebound by Admon Gilder
2:13
Joel Ayayi missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:11
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
2:01
Chase Jeter missed layup, blocked by Filip Petrusev
1:59
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
1:55
Shooting foul on Chase Jeter
1:55
+1
Filip Petrusev made 1st of 2 free throws
31-32
1:55
Filip Petrusev missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1:55
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
1:27
Zeke Nnaji missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:25
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
1:19
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
34-32
52.0
+2
Nico Mannion made layup
34-34
45.0
Personal foul on Max Hazzard
45.0
+1
Ryan Woolridge made 1st of 2 free throws
35-34
45.0
Ryan Woolridge missed 2nd of 2 free throws
45.0
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
23.0
Lost ball turnover on Zeke Nnaji, stolen by Ryan Woolridge
9.0
Lost ball turnover on Filip Petrusev, stolen by Josh Green
12.0
Josh Green missed layup, blocked by Ryan Woolridge
9.0
Offensive rebound by Josh Green
9.0
Zeke Nnaji missed layup
7.0
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
9.0
30-second timeout called
0.0
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
2nd Half
GONZ
Bulldogs
49
ARIZ
Wildcats
46
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:47
+2
Corey Kispert made jump shot
37-34
19:32
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:30
Defensive rebound by Ryan Woolridge
19:22
Offensive foul on Corey Kispert
19:22
Turnover on Corey Kispert
19:13
Chase Jeter missed layup
19:11
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
19:04
+2
Dylan Smith made layup
37-36
18:56
Offensive foul on Filip Petrusev
18:56
Turnover on Filip Petrusev
18:44
Bad pass turnover on Nico Mannion
18:35
Shooting foul on Dylan Smith
18:35
+1
Joel Ayayi made 1st of 2 free throws
38-36
18:35
+1
Joel Ayayi made 2nd of 2 free throws
39-36
18:21
+2
Chase Jeter made layup, assist by Nico Mannion
39-38
18:07
+2
Filip Petrusev made jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
41-38
17:48
+3
Dylan Smith made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Josh Green
41-41
17:34
Shooting foul on Josh Green
17:36
Filip Petrusev missed 1st of 2 free throws
17:36
+1
Filip Petrusev made 2nd of 2 free throws
42-41
17:20
+2
Chase Jeter made hook shot, assist by Nico Mannion
42-43
17:00
Killian Tillie missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:58
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
16:51
Shooting foul on Killian Tillie
16:51
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 1st of 2 free throws
42-44
16:51
+1
Zeke Nnaji made 2nd of 2 free throws
42-45
16:25
+3
Admon Gilder made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
45-45
16:07
Lost ball turnover on Nico Mannion
16:01
+2
Joel Ayayi made layup, assist by Ryan Woolridge
47-45
15:46
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:44
Defensive rebound by Ryan Woolridge
15:37
Personal foul on Chase Jeter
15:27
Filip Petrusev missed layup
15:25
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
15:12
Josh Green missed jump shot
15:10
Defensive rebound by Ryan Woolridge
15:05
+3
Admon Gilder made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
50-45
14:50
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:48
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
14:39
Admon Gilder missed layup
14:37
Offensive rebound by Drew Timme
14:39
Shooting foul on Jemarl Baker Jr.
14:39
+1
Drew Timme made 1st of 2 free throws
51-45
14:39
Drew Timme missed 2nd of 2 free throws
14:39
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
14:28
Zeke Nnaji missed jump shot
14:26
Offensive rebound by Ira Lee
14:26
Personal foul on Drew Timme
14:06
Jemarl Baker Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:04
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
13:41
Ryan Woolridge missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:39
Defensive rebound by Dylan Smith
13:26
Bad pass turnover on Dylan Smith
13:14
Shooting foul on Zeke Nnaji
13:14
Filip Petrusev missed 1st of 2 free throws
13:14
+1
Filip Petrusev made 2nd of 2 free throws
52-45
12:52
Josh Green missed jump shot
12:50
Defensive rebound by Admon Gilder
12:43
Joel Ayayi missed jump shot
12:41
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
12:34
Bad pass turnover on Nico Mannion, stolen by Joel Ayayi
12:29
+2
Corey Kispert made layup, assist by Admon Gilder
54-45
12:06
+2
Jemarl Baker Jr. made layup
54-47
11:53
Corey Kispert missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:51
Defensive rebound by Josh Green
11:35
Josh Green missed layup
11:33
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
11:32
+2
Zeke Nnaji made dunk
54-49
11:07
Killian Tillie missed jump shot, blocked by Zeke Nnaji
11:05
Offensive rebound by Gonzaga
11:02
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Killian Tillie
57-49
10:37
+3
Max Hazzard made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Dylan Smith
57-52
10:16
Killian Tillie missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:14
Offensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
10:09
Shooting foul on Zeke Nnaji
10:12
+1
Killian Tillie made 1st of 2 free throws
58-52
10:12
+1
Killian Tillie made 2nd of 2 free throws
59-52
9:48
Nico Mannion missed jump shot
9:46
Defensive rebound by Killian Tillie
9:33
Killian Tillie missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:31
Offensive rebound by Corey Kispert
9:27
Shooting foul on Chase Jeter
9:27
Filip Petrusev missed 1st of 2 free throws
9:27
Filip Petrusev missed 2nd of 2 free throws
9:27
Offensive rebound by Killian Tillie
9:26
+2
Ryan Woolridge made layup, assist by Killian Tillie
61-52
9:06
+3
Max Hazzard made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ira Lee
61-55
8:52
+3
Killian Tillie made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Corey Kispert
64-55
8:32
Dylan Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:30
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
8:16
+2
Filip Petrusev made dunk, assist by Admon Gilder
66-55
7:47
Nico Mannion missed jump shot
7:45
Defensive rebound by Admon Gilder
7:38
Corey Kispert missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:36
Offensive rebound by Killian Tillie
7:28
+3
Admon Gilder made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ryan Woolridge
69-55
7:08
Personal foul on Admon Gilder
6:59
+3
Josh Green made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Chase Jeter
69-58
6:34
Traveling violation turnover on Filip Petrusev
6:14
Personal foul on Drew Timme
6:11
Josh Green missed jump shot
6:09
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
5:57
Corey Kispert missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:55
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
5:34
+2
Josh Green made jump shot, assist by Chase Jeter
69-60
5:05
+2
Corey Kispert made jump shot
71-60
5:01
Nico Mannion missed layup
4:59
Offensive rebound by Chase Jeter
4:53
+2
Chase Jeter made layup
71-62
4:32
+2
Filip Petrusev made dunk, assist by Admon Gilder
73-62
4:31
Unsportsmanlike technical foul on Gonzaga
4:31
+1
Josh Green made free throw
73-63
4:17
+2
Jemarl Baker Jr. made jump shot, assist by Nico Mannion
73-65
3:52
Filip Petrusev missed jump shot
3:50
Defensive rebound by Chase Jeter
3:41
Josh Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:39
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
3:37
Personal foul on Dylan Smith
3:37
+1
Corey Kispert made 1st of 2 free throws
74-65
3:37
+1
Corey Kispert made 2nd of 2 free throws
75-65
3:26
Nico Mannion missed layup
3:24
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
3:01
+2
Filip Petrusev made layup, assist by Joel Ayayi
77-65
3:00
Shooting foul on Nico Mannion
3:00
+1
Filip Petrusev made free throw
78-65
2:47
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:45
Offensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
2:38
Zeke Nnaji missed layup
2:36
Defensive rebound by Admon Gilder
2:10
Admon Gilder missed jump shot
2:08
Offensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
2:08
+2
Joel Ayayi made layup
80-65
2:08
Shooting foul on Max Hazzard
2:08
+1
Joel Ayayi made free throw
81-65
2:02
Nico Mannion missed jump shot
2:00
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
1:32
Joel Ayayi missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:30
Defensive rebound by Zeke Nnaji
1:26
+3
Dylan Smith made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nico Mannion
81-68
1:25
Bad pass turnover on Ryan Woolridge, stolen by Josh Green
1:23
Nico Mannion missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:21
Defensive rebound by Admon Gilder
1:17
Lost ball turnover on Admon Gilder, stolen by Nico Mannion
1:14
+3
Jemarl Baker Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Nico Mannion