Gonzaga Holds Off San Francisco in 68-66 Thriller

Gonzaga's McCarthey Athletic Center was electric as the fourth-ranked Bulldogs hosted San Francisco in a tightly contested matchup. Despite being predicted to win by 15.2 points by CHD Scout, Gonzaga found themselves in a dogfight, ultimately emerging with a hard-fought 68-66 victory. The predicted winner was correct, but the actual margin of just two points was a far cry from the anticipated blowout.

Jalen Warley stole the show, leading the Bulldogs with 19 points, while Davis Fogle and Tyon Grant-Foster chipped in with 15 points each. Warley's performance was instrumental in Gonzaga's first-half dominance, as they took a 36-25 lead into the break. However, San Francisco refused to back down, with Legend Smiley pacing the Dons with 18 points. Smiley's efforts, combined with 14 points and six assists from Ryan Beasley, helped San Francisco outscore Gonzaga 41-32 in the second half.

The Dons' second-half surge was fueled by a 10-2 run that trimmed the deficit to just three points with under five minutes remaining. Gonzaga, however, responded with a crucial 6-0 spurt to regain control. San Francisco made one final push, but the Bulldogs held firm, securing the 68-66 win.

The narrow margin of victory was a reflection of San Francisco's resilience, but ultimately, Gonzaga's talent and depth proved too much to overcome. The Bulldogs' victory marked their 21st win of the season, solidifying their position as one of the nation's top teams.

This matchup had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Gonzaga, the win counts as a Quadrant 3 victory, which, while not particularly impressive, still contributes to their overall profile. On the other hand, San Francisco can take pride in pushing one of the country's best teams to the limit, earning a Quadrant 1 loss that will likely look favorable on their resume. With a current NET ranking of 106, the Dons still have work to do to secure a tournament bid, but performances like this will undoubtedly help their cause.

As the season enters its final stretch, Gonzaga want to build on this win, while San Francisco will aim to use this narrow defeat as a springboard for future success. The Bulldogs' tournament chances remain strong, with their fourth-ranked NET ranking and 21-1 record making a compelling case for a high seed. For San Francisco, the focus will be on stringing together a series of wins to bolster their tournament resume and make a push for a postseason berth.