Gonzaga Dominates Portland: Key Takeaways
Gonzaga wrapped up their home schedule with a commanding 89-48 victory over Portland in the West Coast Conference. Here’s what stood out from the game:
Foxwell Silenced
Portland’s freshman sensation, Joel Foxwell, who previously torched Gonzaga for 27 points, started strong with a couple of early three-pointers. However, Gonzaga’s defense, led by junior Emmanuel Innocenti, quickly adapted.
Innocenti’s tenacious defense stifled Foxwell, who struggled to find his rhythm off high ball screens. By halftime, Foxwell had no assists and four turnovers, a stark contrast to his usual playmaking prowess.
He finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and five turnovers, unable to replicate his earlier success against the Zags.
A Unique Starting Lineup
Senior Night brought an unconventional starting lineup for Gonzaga. Four seniors-Adam Miller, Steele Venters, Graham Ike, and Noah Haaland-were joined by freshman Mario Saint-Supery. Jalen Warley, nursing a thigh bruise, sat out, while Tyon-Grant Foster came off the bench to contribute 12 points and four rebounds.
Haaland, a local favorite, added a bucket and an assist in limited minutes. Venters, returning to the court after a brief absence, electrified the crowd with a second-half three-pointer.
Miller, a regular starter, found his groove late, ending with six points and four assists. Ike was a standout, delivering 19 points, eight rebounds, and seven steals, tying a record for steals in the Mark Few era.
His streak of 20-point games ended at nine, but his impact was undeniable. This game marked the 12th different starting lineup for Gonzaga this season.
Home Court Dominance
With this victory, Gonzaga secured their eighth unbeaten home season and 13th perfect record in conference play at the McCarthey Athletic Center since its opening in 2004. The Zags boasted a 9-0 conference record and 15-0 overall at home.
However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. They overcame a 13-point deficit against Seattle U to win in overtime and narrowly escaped with a 68-66 victory over San Francisco.
Close calls against Saint Mary’s and Pacific kept fans on edge, but Gonzaga’s resilience at home was a testament to their depth and determination.
As Gonzaga moves forward, their performance at home sets a strong foundation for the challenges ahead.