Instant Reaction To Gonzaga Falling On The Road At Saint Mary’s

The Gonzaga Bulldogs stormed back from down as many as 14 to take the lead against Saint Mary’s, but once again an inability to close out a game resulted in the team’s seventh loss of the season.

Down two with 5.8 seconds left, Ryan Nembhard inbounded the ball on the baseline to Graham Ike, who opted to launch an ill-advised three pointer rather than use the remaining time to get a shot closer to the rim. It was a familiar sight, as Gonzaga lost in a similar fashion to UCLA in December, with late game issues costing them opportunities to win against UConn, Kentucky, and Santa Clara as well.

As painful as this game ended, it was Gonzaga’s sloppy man-to-man defense in the first half that dug them in a hole in the first place – an issue that has plagued this team all season long.

The Gaels started this game 8-9 from the field, building a lead as big as 14 and going into halftime up eight.

Gonzaga’s insistence on helping on dribble drives, and leaving open three point shooters, was a major issue in this one, with the Gaels hitting seven threes in the first half – just above their average of 6.8 per game.…Read more by Andy Patton