No. 2 Gonzaga leaves North Carolina blue after 94-81 victory
AP
Dec 19, 2019
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Corey Kispert turned, put his hands out and gave a little shrug as he jogged back down the floor after his fifth 3-pointer of the night.
Gonzaga Bulldogs's do-everything junior forward picked a memorable night in the history of Zags' basketball to have maybe the best game of his career.
“It was just one of those times when you were in the zone. ... I knew it was in when I let it go,” Kispert said. “It's hard not to play with emotion in this place, the fans get you hyped up and pumped up and I kind of just let it show.”
Kispert scored 26 points, Filip Petrusev added 20 and No. 2 Gonzaga rolled past North Carolina Tar Heels 94-81 on Wednesday, handing the Tar Heels their fourth straight loss.
One of the most highly anticipated games ever inside Gonzaga's gym was a party most of the night for the home team. The Bulldogs (12-1) won their fourth straight since suffering their only loss of the season against Michigan in the final of the Battle 4 Atlantis.
More importantly, the Zags finished off an unbeaten stretch of three marquee games at Washington, at Arizona and against the Tar Heels.
“I'm just glad it's over. I've been hearing about this thing for six months from all our fans, in a good way. They were excited,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said.
Garrison Brooks led North Carolina (6-5) with 16 points, but the Tar Heels have dropped four straight for the first time since the 2009-10 season. It's been a brutal stretch for the Tar Heels with the Zags the fifth opponent ranked in the top 10 in North Carolina's past six games.
“Needless to say we didn't play as well as we needed to play and I didn't coach as well as I wanted to coach,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams said.
Then there's the injuries. North Carolina learned Monday it would be without star point guard Cole Anthony for four-to-six weeks following surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. Anthony sat during Sunday's loss to Wofford as did guard Leaky Black. Black returned Wednesday and had six points in nine minutes.
North Carolina also played the second half without Brandon Robinson, who was feeling ill. He played 16 minutes of the first half and didn't score.
“I would love to have Cole with us because he was playing better than anyone else,” Williams said.
Having Anthony and a completely healthy roster might not have mattered.
Kispert and the Zags were ready from the start to put on a show for maybe the toughest ticket in school history. Students stuck around rather than going home for winter break and filled “The Kennel Club” long before tip-off. They were treated to 40 minutes of Gonzaga domination in just the Zags second home game in a month.
Kispert was the leader with a nearly perfect first half, hitting 6 of 8 shots including a trio of 3-pointers. It was his fourth straight game in double-figures after being quieted by Michigan.
Kispert made 10 of 12 shots overall. But he wasn't alone. Gonzaga shot 59% and five players in double figures. Joel Ayayi, Ryan Woolridge and Admon Gilder all finished with 11 points.
“Like coach said, every win against North Carolina is a good win, whenever, however they look,” Petrusev said.
NO ANTHONY
While Anthony didn't play in the loss to Wofford, the Tar Heels now know they need to make up for his scoring for at least a month. Anthony is averaging 19.1 points to rank second nationally among freshmen and has been the Tar Heels’ best player at creating his own shot. He led the team in scoring in six of his nine games this season, starting when he had 34 points against Notre Dame for the most points ever by an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman in his first game.
“I still believe we can be a good team. We just can't let this stretch define us,” Brooks said.
BIG PICTURE
North Carolina: In an effort to make up for the loss of Anthony, Williams went deep into his bench. North Carolina played 11 players in the first half alone trying to overcome foul trouble and find a grouping that could add some punch on the offensive end.
Gonzaga: The Zags are 6-4 in their past 10 games against ACC teams. Their last three wins over ACC foes are Duke, Florida State and now North Carolina.
QUOTABLE
“Coach Williams deserves all the credit for this. For him to bring a storied program; they could sit at home and play all home games. they could do whatever the hell they want. But he's one of those guys like Tom Izzo that goes out and really, really challenges his team. I think he does it not only to help his team but I think he also understands how important it is for college basketball that these big time games need to happen.” - Few on hosting North Carolina.
UP NEXT
North Carolina: Face UCLA on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Gonzaga: Host Eastern Washington on Saturday.
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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
UNC
Tar Heels
37
GONZ
Bulldogs
44
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by North Carolina
19:44
+2
Garrison Brooks made layup
2-0
19:27
+2
Filip Petrusev made layup
2-2
19:27
Shooting foul on Armando Bacot
19:27
+1
Filip Petrusev made free throw
2-3
19:04
Armando Bacot missed jump shot
19:02
Defensive rebound by Killian Tillie
18:53
Personal foul on Armando Bacot
18:43
Filip Petrusev missed jump shot
18:41
Defensive rebound by Leaky Black
18:34
+2
Leaky Black made jump shot
4-3
18:24
+2
Corey Kispert made jump shot
4-5
18:12
+2
Garrison Brooks made jump shot
6-5
18:04
+2
Ryan Woolridge made layup
6-7
17:51
Leaky Black missed jump shot
17:49
Defensive rebound by Killian Tillie
17:43
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ryan Woolridge
6-10
17:26
Lost ball turnover on K.J. Smith, stolen by Corey Kispert
17:11
Lost ball turnover on Corey Kispert, stolen by K.J. Smith
17:05
Garrison Brooks missed jump shot
17:03
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
16:57
Joel Ayayi missed layup, blocked by Leaky Black
16:55
Defensive rebound by Garrison Brooks
16:42
Leaky Black missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:40
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
16:32
Corey Kispert missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:30
Defensive rebound by Leaky Black
17:03
5-second inbounding violation turnover on North Carolina
17:03
Shooting foul on Brandon Robinson
16:05
Drew Timme missed 1st of 2 free throws
16:05
Drew Timme missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:05
Defensive rebound by Garrison Brooks
15:49
Justin Pierce missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:40
Defensive rebound by Ryan Woolridge
15:33
Admon Gilder missed layup
15:31
Defensive rebound by Justin Pierce
15:28
+3
Justin Pierce made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Brandon Robinson
9-10
15:07
+2
Drew Timme made jump shot
9-12
14:54
Shooting foul on Killian Tillie
14:54
+1
Jeremiah Francis made 1st of 2 free throws
10-12
14:54
Jeremiah Francis missed 2nd of 2 free throws
14:54
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
14:35
Filip Petrusev missed jump shot
14:33
Defensive rebound by Brandon Robinson
14:23
+2
Christian Keeling made jump shot, assist by Garrison Brooks
12-12
14:02
Corey Kispert missed layup, blocked by Justin Pierce
14:00
Defensive rebound by Justin Pierce
13:52
+2
Justin Pierce made layup
14-12
13:40
Filip Petrusev missed jump shot
13:38
Defensive rebound by Justin Pierce
13:30
Justin Pierce missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:28
Offensive rebound by Christian Keeling
13:12
Brandon Robinson missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:10
Defensive rebound by Ryan Woolridge
13:04
+3
Admon Gilder made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ryan Woolridge
14-15
12:48
+2
Christian Keeling made jump shot
16-15
12:39
+2
Ryan Woolridge made jump shot
16-17
12:24
+2
Garrison Brooks made layup
18-17
12:24
Shooting foul on Drew Timme
12:24
+1
Garrison Brooks made free throw
19-17
12:08
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
19-20
11:47
Lost ball turnover on Leaky Black, stolen by Admon Gilder
11:26
+2
Filip Petrusev made jump shot
19-22
11:10
+2
Leaky Black made jump shot, assist by Christian Keeling
21-22
11:03
+2
Filip Petrusev made layup, assist by Joel Ayayi
21-24
10:41
Christian Keeling missed layup
10:39
Offensive rebound by Christian Keeling
10:39
Armando Bacot missed jump shot
10:37
Defensive rebound by Killian Tillie
10:33
Personal foul on Leaky Black
10:20
+2
Killian Tillie made jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
21-26
10:20
Shooting foul on Garrison Brooks
10:20
+1
Killian Tillie made free throw
21-27
10:11
Lost ball turnover on Justin Pierce, stolen by Joel Ayayi
10:05
+2
Joel Ayayi made layup, assist by Ryan Woolridge
21-29
9:44
Shooting foul on Filip Petrusev
9:44
+1
K.J. Smith made 1st of 2 free throws
22-29
9:44
+1
K.J. Smith made 2nd of 2 free throws
23-29
9:35
Killian Tillie missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:33
Defensive rebound by Andrew Platek
9:25
Justin Pierce missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:23
Defensive rebound by Ryan Woolridge
9:16
Admon Gilder missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:14
Defensive rebound by K.J. Smith
9:04
Personal foul on Killian Tillie
8:47
Garrison Brooks missed jump shot
8:45
Defensive rebound by Drew Timme
8:36
Joel Ayayi missed jump shot, blocked by Brandon Robinson
8:34
Offensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
8:26
+2
Drew Timme made layup, assist by Ryan Woolridge
23-31
8:13
Andrew Platek missed layup, blocked by Corey Kispert
8:11
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
8:05
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ryan Woolridge
23-34
7:41
Christian Keeling missed layup
7:39
Offensive rebound by Garrison Brooks
7:35
+2
Garrison Brooks made dunk
25-34
7:16
Drew Timme missed jump shot
7:14
Defensive rebound by Armando Bacot
6:47
K.J. Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:45
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
6:34
+2
Ryan Woolridge made layup
25-36
6:19
Leaky Black missed jump shot
6:17
Offensive rebound by Garrison Brooks
6:05
K.J. Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:05
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
6:05
Lost ball turnover on Drew Timme, stolen by K.J. Smith
5:57
+2
K.J. Smith made layup
27-36
5:47
Admon Gilder missed jump shot
5:45
Defensive rebound by Christian Keeling
5:40
Lost ball turnover on Christian Keeling
5:27
Filip Petrusev missed layup
5:25
Defensive rebound by Armando Bacot
5:13
Out of bounds turnover on Christian Keeling
5:01
+2
Corey Kispert made layup
27-38
5:01
Shooting foul on Justin Pierce
5:01
+1
Corey Kispert made 1st of 2 free throws
27-39
4:55
Lost ball turnover on Brandon Robinson, stolen by Joel Ayayi
4:47
+2
Corey Kispert made dunk, assist by Joel Ayayi
27-41
4:31
Armando Bacot missed jump shot
4:29
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
4:24
Bad pass turnover on Joel Ayayi, stolen by Jeremiah Francis
4:16
Jeremiah Francis missed layup
4:14
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
3:45
Joel Ayayi missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:43
Defensive rebound by Brandon Robinson
3:25
+2
Jeremiah Francis made layup
29-41
3:21
Filip Petrusev missed layup
3:19
Defensive rebound by Brandon Robinson
3:10
+2
Garrison Brooks made jump shot, assist by Brandon Robinson
31-41
2:59
Shooting foul on Garrison Brooks
2:59
+1
Filip Petrusev made 1st of 2 free throws
31-42
2:59
+1
Filip Petrusev made 2nd of 2 free throws
31-43
2:38
+3
Jeremiah Francis made 3-pt. jump shot
34-43
2:29
Lost ball turnover on Ryan Woolridge, stolen by Leaky Black
1:51
Brandon Robinson missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:51
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
1:51
Lost ball turnover on Corey Kispert, stolen by Brandon Robinson
1:51
Personal foul on Admon Gilder
1:51
Leaky Black missed jump shot
1:49
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
1:40
Shooting foul on Justin Pierce
1:40
Killian Tillie missed 1st of 2 free throws
1:40
+1
Killian Tillie made 2nd of 2 free throws
34-44
1:40
+1
Killian Tillie made 2nd of 2 free throws
34-44
1:24
Leaky Black missed jump shot
1:22
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
1:14
Lost ball turnover on Admon Gilder, stolen by Anthony Harris
1:12
Shooting foul on Joel Ayayi
1:12
Anthony Harris missed 1st of 2 free throws
1:12
+1
Anthony Harris made 2nd of 2 free throws
35-44
1:12
+1
Anthony Harris made 2nd of 2 free throws
35-44
49.0
Admon Gilder missed 3-pt. jump shot
47.0
Defensive rebound by K.J. Smith
29.0
Anthony Harris missed jump shot, blocked by Filip Petrusev
27.0
Offensive rebound by Brandon Huffman
25.0
+2
Brandon Huffman made jump shot
37-44
3.0
Joel Ayayi missed 3-pt. jump shot
1.0
Defensive rebound by Brandon Robinson
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
UNC
Tar Heels
44
GONZ
Bulldogs
50
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:35
Joel Ayayi missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:33
Defensive rebound by North Carolina
19:09
Armando Bacot missed layup
19:07
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
18:52
Killian Tillie missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:50
Defensive rebound by Leaky Black
18:40
K.J. Smith missed jump shot
18:38
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
18:33
Personal foul on Armando Bacot
18:26
Ryan Woolridge missed jump shot, blocked by Brandon Huffman
18:24
Defensive rebound by Garrison Brooks
18:13
Brandon Huffman missed jump shot
18:11
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
18:01
Lost ball turnover on Corey Kispert, stolen by Garrison Brooks
17:54
K.J. Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:52
Offensive rebound by Brandon Huffman
17:52
Personal foul on Killian Tillie
17:47
+2
Garrison Brooks made dunk, assist by Leaky Black
39-44
17:30
+2
Filip Petrusev made jump shot, assist by Ryan Woolridge
39-46
17:30
Shooting foul on Brandon Huffman
17:30
+1
Filip Petrusev made free throw
39-47
17:18
Andrew Platek missed jump shot, blocked by Filip Petrusev
17:16
Defensive rebound by Admon Gilder
17:11
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Admon Gilder
39-50
16:59
+3
Andrew Platek made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jeremiah Francis
42-50
16:48
Lost ball turnover on Admon Gilder, stolen by Andrew Platek
16:43
Personal foul on Ryan Woolridge
16:24
Jeremiah Francis missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:22
Offensive rebound by Brandon Huffman
16:17
Brandon Huffman missed dunk, blocked by Filip Petrusev
16:15
Defensive rebound by Admon Gilder
16:06
Shooting foul on Brandon Huffman
16:06
+1
Filip Petrusev made 1st of 2 free throws
42-51
16:06
Filip Petrusev missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:06
Defensive rebound by Justin Pierce
15:48
Jeremiah Francis missed layup
15:46
Defensive rebound by Ryan Woolridge
15:41
+2
Admon Gilder made layup, assist by Ryan Woolridge
42-53
15:14
Leaky Black missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:12
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
14:55
+3
Joel Ayayi made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ryan Woolridge
42-56
14:38
Lost ball turnover on Justin Pierce
14:24
+2
Drew Timme made layup, assist by Ryan Woolridge
42-58
14:14
Lost ball turnover on Leaky Black, stolen by Admon Gilder
14:10
+2
Admon Gilder made layup
42-60
14:10
Personal foul on Drew Timme
13:49
Jeremiah Francis missed layup
13:47
Offensive rebound by Justin Pierce
13:43
+2
Justin Pierce made layup
44-60
13:31
Shooting foul on Jeremiah Francis
13:31
Ryan Woolridge missed 1st of 2 free throws
13:31
Ryan Woolridge missed 2nd of 2 free throws
13:31
Defensive rebound by Justin Pierce
12:58
+3
Anthony Harris made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Garrison Brooks
47-60
12:26
+3
Killian Tillie made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
47-63
12:07
Shooting foul on Admon Gilder
12:07
Christian Keeling missed 1st of 2 free throws
12:07
+1
Christian Keeling made 2nd of 2 free throws
48-63
11:53
+2
Killian Tillie made jump shot, assist by Corey Kispert
48-65
11:38
+2
Garrison Brooks made jump shot, assist by Christian Keeling
50-65
11:24
Personal foul on Killian Tillie
11:08
Lost ball turnover on Armando Bacot, stolen by Joel Ayayi
11:01
+2
Joel Ayayi made dunk
50-67
10:44
Garrison Brooks missed jump shot
10:42
Offensive rebound by Armando Bacot
10:37
+2
Armando Bacot made tip-in
52-67
10:17
+3
Ryan Woolridge made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Joel Ayayi
52-70
9:57
Shooting foul on Ryan Woolridge
9:57
+1
Anthony Harris made 1st of 2 free throws
53-70
9:57
+1
Anthony Harris made 2nd of 2 free throws
54-70
9:40
+2
Filip Petrusev made layup
54-72
9:27
+2
Christian Keeling made jump shot
56-72
9:11
Drew Timme missed layup
9:09
Defensive rebound by Garrison Brooks
9:04
+2
Jeremiah Francis made jump shot
58-72
8:38
+2
Corey Kispert made jump shot
58-74
8:20
Shooting foul on Joel Ayayi
8:20
Christian Keeling missed 1st of 2 free throws
8:20
+1
Christian Keeling made 2nd of 2 free throws
59-74
8:04
+3
Corey Kispert made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Admon Gilder
59-77
7:45
Garrison Brooks missed jump shot
7:43
Defensive rebound by Filip Petrusev
7:34
+2
Corey Kispert made layup
59-79
7:22
Lost ball turnover on Garrison Brooks, stolen by Filip Petrusev
7:19
Shooting foul on K.J. Smith
7:19
+1
Admon Gilder made 1st of 2 free throws
59-80
7:19
+1
Admon Gilder made 2nd of 2 free throws
59-81
6:53
+3
Andrew Platek made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Garrison Brooks
62-81
6:28
Lost ball turnover on Filip Petrusev, stolen by Garrison Brooks
6:07
Lost ball turnover on K.J. Smith, stolen by Corey Kispert
6:06
Personal foul on Armando Bacot
6:06
+1
Filip Petrusev made 1st of 2 free throws
62-82
6:06
+1
Filip Petrusev made 2nd of 2 free throws
62-83
5:51
Armando Bacot missed jump shot
5:49
Defensive rebound by Joel Ayayi
5:43
Lost ball turnover on Corey Kispert, stolen by Jeremiah Francis
5:38
Jeremiah Francis missed jump shot
5:36
Defensive rebound by Gonzaga
5:13
+2
Filip Petrusev made jump shot
62-85
5:02
+2
Anthony Harris made jump shot
64-85
4:39
+2
Joel Ayayi made layup
64-87
4:25
+2
Christian Keeling made jump shot
66-87
3:52
Admon Gilder missed layup
3:50
Defensive rebound by North Carolina
3:50
Personal foul on Filip Petrusev
3:52
+1
Walker Miller made 1st of 2 free throws
67-87
3:52
+1
Walker Miller made 2nd of 2 free throws
68-87
3:46
+2
Joel Ayayi made layup
68-89
3:40
+2
Christian Keeling made jump shot, assist by Garrison Brooks
70-89
3:22
+2
Ryan Woolridge made jump shot
70-91
3:13
+2
Walker Miller made layup, assist by Jeremiah Francis
72-91
2:56
Shooting foul on Leaky Black
2:56
Filip Petrusev missed 1st of 2 free throws
2:56
+1
Filip Petrusev made 2nd of 2 free throws
72-92
2:54
Shooting foul on Drew Timme
2:54
Garrison Brooks missed 1st of 2 free throws
2:54
+1
Garrison Brooks made 2nd of 2 free throws
73-92
2:40
Lost ball turnover on Ryan Woolridge, stolen by Leaky Black
2:36
+2
Leaky Black made layup
75-92
2:19
Shooting foul on Garrison Brooks
2:19
+1
Admon Gilder made 1st of 2 free throws
75-93
2:19
+1
Admon Gilder made 2nd of 2 free throws
75-94
1:55
Anthony Harris missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:53
Defensive rebound by Corey Kispert
1:27
Admon Gilder missed jump shot
1:25
Defensive rebound by North Carolina
1:12
+3
Shea Rush made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jeremiah Francis
78-94
40.0
Joel Ayayi missed 3-pt. jump shot
38.0
Defensive rebound by Walker Miller
29.0
+3
Jeremiah Francis made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Walker Miller