Gonzaga's high-powered offense was on full display at Climate Pledge Arena, as the Bulldogs cruised to a 71-50 victory over Seattle U. Mario Saint-Supery stole the show, scoring 20 points to lead Gonzaga to its 21st win of the season. The Bulldogs' impressive performance was fueled by a strong first half, where they outscored Seattle U 32-24.
Seattle U's Brayden Maldonado did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 12 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Gonzaga's balanced attack. The Bulldogs' Jalen Warley and Davis Fogle also made significant contributions, scoring 14 and 13 points, respectively, while grabbing six rebounds each. Gonzaga's ability to spread the scoring wealth made it difficult for Seattle U to mount a comeback.
As the game progressed, Gonzaga's lead only grew, with the Bulldogs outscoring Seattle U 39-26 in the second half. The Redhawks struggled to find their rhythm, with only Houran Dan joining Maldonado in double figures with 10 points. Jojo Murphy added eight points, but it was a quiet night for the rest of the Seattle U roster.
The 21-point margin of victory was a reflection of Gonzaga's dominance, as the Bulldogs improved their record to 21-1. This win, classified as a Quadrant 2 victory for Gonzaga, will likely have a positive impact on their tournament resume. For Seattle U, the loss will be recorded as a Quadrant 1 defeat, which could have implications for their own postseason hopes.
Despite being the higher-ranked team, Gonzaga didn't take Seattle U lightly, coming out strong from the opening tip. The Bulldogs' focus and intensity were evident throughout the game, as they controlled the tempo and dictated the flow of the contest. Seattle U, on the other hand, want to regroup and refocus after the disappointing loss.
As the season enters its critical stretch, Gonzaga's win over Seattle U serves as a reminder of the Bulldogs' strength and depth. With their high-powered offense and stout defense, Gonzaga is poised to make a deep run in the tournament. For Seattle U, the challenge will be to bounce back from this loss and continue to build their resume in the hopes of securing a tournament berth. The Redhawks' current net ranking of 121 must improve if they want to be considered for postseason play. Gonzaga, meanwhile, solidified its position as one of the top teams in the country, with a net ranking of four.