Zags Clamp Down on Defense, Saint-Supery Shines in 71-50 Win Over Seattle U
SEATTLE - Gonzaga’s 71-50 win over Seattle U on Saturday night wasn’t just another notch in the win column - it was a statement about this team’s depth, defensive identity, and the emergence of a young guard ready for the spotlight.
Let’s break down three key takeaways from the Zags’ road win at Climate Pledge Arena.
1. Another Game, Another Starting Five
If there’s one thing this Gonzaga squad has learned to do this season, it’s adapt. With Graham Ike sidelined due to a right ankle injury suffered late in Thursday’s game, and Braden Huff missing his second straight contest with a knee issue, the Zags rolled out their ninth different starting lineup of the season.
This time, it was sophomore big man Ismaila Diagne making his first career start. The 7-footer joined Braeden Smith, Adam Miller, Emmanuel Innocenti, and Jalen Warley in a reshuffled starting five that leaned heavily on defensive versatility and energy.
Diagne didn’t fill up the scoring column - just three points on the night - but his impact was felt in other ways. He grabbed eight rebounds, including seven in the first half, and made his presence known at the rim. His highlight came on a strong rejection of Seattle U’s Austin Maurer, and his sheer size in the paint disrupted several Redhawk attempts around the basket.
Foul trouble limited Diagne’s minutes in the second half - three whistles in a span of 44 seconds sent him to the bench with four - but he showed enough in his first start to suggest he could be a factor as the season wears on, especially if frontcourt injuries linger.
2. Defense Brings Its A-Game
Gonzaga’s offense had its moments but wasn’t firing on all cylinders. Fortunately for the Zags, their defense didn’t miss a beat.
Even with two key bigs out, Gonzaga controlled the paint and the glass. Seattle U, which came in with size advantages on paper, couldn’t capitalize. The Redhawks were held to just 36% shooting from the field - the same clip they shot in their first meeting with Gonzaga two weeks ago - but this time, they managed only 50 points, a season low.
The Zags were quick on their feet, switching on screens and using their speed to create chaos. That led to 18 Seattle turnovers, many of which turned into transition opportunities going the other way. On the glass, Gonzaga dominated 44-24, including a 14-7 edge in second-chance points - an especially impressive stat given the absence of Ike and Huff.
This was a game where Gonzaga’s defensive effort set the tone and gave them full control, even when the offense sputtered.
3. Super Mario Levels Up
With the Zags short-handed, freshman point guard Mario Saint-Supery stepped up in a big way - and may have delivered his most complete performance of the season.
Saint-Supery, who started earlier in the year but had been coming off the bench since the Oregon game in late December, looked every bit like a seasoned floor general. He scored 20 points - a new career high - and did it efficiently, hitting 7 of 10 shots from the field and 4 of 6 from deep. Three of those triples came in the second half and were the kind of momentum-swinging shots that quiet crowds and energize benches.
But it wasn’t just the scoring. Saint-Supery added four assists, two steals, and played tough on-ball defense against Brayden Maldonado, Seattle’s leading scorer. Maldonado came in averaging 16 a game but was held to just 12 on a night where he never looked comfortable.
Saint-Supery’s performance couldn’t have come at a better time. With the frontcourt thinned out and the rotation in flux, Gonzaga needed a spark - and the freshman delivered.
Bottom Line: This wasn’t the flashiest win of the season, but it was one of the more telling. Gonzaga showed it can win ugly, lean on its defense, and get big-time performances from young players when the roster is stretched thin. With conference play heating up, those are the kind of traits that separate contenders from the pack.