Gonzaga takes aim at posting its fifth consecutive double-digit victory this season when it entertains Southern Utah on Monday night in nonconference action at Spokane, Wash.
The No. 19 Bulldogs (4-0) enter the clash with an average margin of victory of 27.3 points. Friday’s 77-65 road win at Arizona State represented Gonzaga’s smallest margin of victory this season.
The Bulldogs had a 45-31 rebounding advantage and scored 14 more points from the free-throw line (27-13) to overcome 6-of-21 3-point shooting and defeat the Sun Devils in Tempe.
“I think we just kind of hung in there,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “I thought we had some really good performances by several of the guys, but it was in spurts.”
Graham Ike recorded 20 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs and Tyon Grant-Foster added 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Grant-Foster played the past two seasons for Grand Canyon, located in Phoenix, so the contest represented a bit of a homecoming. The 25-year-old recently won eligibility for this season through the court system.
Grant-Foster saw room for improvement after the Arizona State game.
“We got a lot to learn. Certain things that happened down the stretch that shouldn’t happen, but, yeah, just a learning experience,” Grant-Foster said. “We got to watch a lot of film and really get into detail on what’s going on, because we got a lot of big games coming up and we can’t afford to make certain mistakes.”
Ike liked the perseverance shown by the Zags.
“I just want to give kudos to the team for sticking with it, fighting through adversity and coming out with the (win),” Ike said.
Ike leads Gonzaga in per-game scoring (18.0) and rebounding (10.3). Braden Huff (13.0), Grant-Foster (12.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Adam Miller (10.5) also are scoring in double digits.
Southern Utah (1-3) is playing the second matchup of a three-game trip that ends with Wednesday’s game at Washington State.
The Thunderbirds opened the excursion with a 90-85 loss to Nebraska-Omaha. Southern Utah was just 7-of-28 from 3-point range while Omaha knocked down 10 of 19 attempts.
“We won’t win a lot of games giving up 90 points,” Thunderbirds coach Rob Jeter said. “I was proud of the resiliency. We got punched early and had a chance to lay down and give up, but we battled back and took the lead late. But we are still learning every game.”
Elijah Duval recorded 20 points and five assists and Zach Bell also scored 20 points for Southern Utah. Jaiden Feroah added 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots.
Feroah leads the Thunderbirds in scoring (14.0 points per game), rebounding (7.8) and blocked shots (3.8).
Duval is second on the squad in scoring at 13.5 points per game and leads in assists (5.0) and steals (2.0). Bell is third in scoring (10.5).
Southern Utah also played at Arizona State. The Thunderbirds fell 81-64 in their season opener.
Jeter is aware a visit to Gonzaga rates as a huge obstacle.
“We got a really tough stretch coming up, starting with a team that was in the NCAA Tournament a season ago,” Jeter said. “We have to focus on ourselves, and our specific tasks we need to accomplish to be successful.”