It may not have been the recovery performance Gonzaga had hoped for after the upset loss, but the sixth-placed Zags (17-4, 6-1 WCC) took on the Pacific (10-12, 3-4). We won 99-90. ) in Stockton, CA on Saturday.
Here are the three takeaways from Gonzaga’s victory.
Gonzaga’s opponents are in trouble when Drew Timm shines
As Gonzaga neared the midpoint of West Coast Conference play, a theme began to emerge. If the opposing defense could limit Tim, Gonzaga’s scoring prowess would quickly dry up.
It has been played many times this season, most recently with the Zags losing 68-67 to LMU on Thursday. Tim ended the night with 17, but only scored 3 until halfway through the second half.
It didn’t take long for the All-American forwards to find their rhythm against the Pacific as they led the Zags by 14 points in the first half. He added another 24 points in the second half and finished with his career-high 38 points.
“You have to do what you have to do to win,” Tim told Spokesperson Review. It’s something we face all year long and this league is really good. can.
Tim seemed to score at will, attempting 17 of 23 shots from the field.
“You look at the defender’s face and the opposing team and you know there’s nothing you can do to stop him,” forward Anton Watson said. “And that’s exactly what Drew needs at crunch time and close matches.”
Zags Wins Rebound Battle
The Zags had a stronger presence on the grass against the Tigers after being rebounded 38-29 by the LMU on Thursday.
Gonzaga had 37 rebounds on Saturday, well ahead of Pacific’s 24.
He had 13 rebounds, six of which were offensive ends.
“They played a small lineup and their five weren’t really a traditional five, so I thought we were going to be on an attacking board all night. said Watson.
Zags’ rebounding dominance led to 14 second-chance points, including a Watson putback slam, to give the Zags an 82–77 lead with 6 minutes and 4 seconds remaining.
Gonzaga grabbed 10 of his next 12 rebounds before the final buzzer sounded.
Watson scored 16 points in 36 minutes for his third double-double of the season.
Defense of Gonzaga have room Improve
Gonzaga’s defense is 89th in the nation by KenPom, well behind the 4th offense.
It was clear against the Pacific as Gonzaga scored 99 points but gave up 90 to an unranked team.
“We definitely won the offense tonight. It wasn’t the defense that won the game,” said Gonzaga head coach Mark Few.
Zag showed flashes of defensive cohesion, especially in the second half, when he held the Tigers scoreless in about the first four minutes.
“We were locked in and energized. It really helped us get the lead and subsequent separation we needed,” Tim said. , just keep getting longer and longer.”