It was a night to remember at the McCarthey Athletic Center, as the No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrated Senior Night in Spokane, Washington.
Honoring key players like Graham Ike, Adam Miller, Jalen Warley, Steele Venters, and Noah Haaland, the atmosphere was electric. Tyon Grant-Foster, having already experienced a Senior Night with Grand Canyon, opted out of the ceremony.
Venters, who transferred from Eastern Washington, hopes to return next season by applying for a medical hardship waiver after missing two years due to injuries. The starting lineup for Gonzaga against the Portland Pilots featured seniors Miller, Venters, Ike, and Haaland, alongside freshman Mario Saint-Supery. Warley, dealing with a thigh bruise, sat this one out.
The Bulldogs were looking for redemption after a tough 87-80 loss to Portland earlier this season. Graham Ike, taking that defeat personally, came out firing, scoring Gonzaga’s first seven points and showcasing his three-point skills. He finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and a career-high seven steals, tying Derek Raivio's record for steals in a game during the Mark Few era.
Portland's standout freshman Joel Foxwell started strong with eight of his team's first 10 points but cooled off, ending with 12 points and five turnovers. The Pilots struggled with turnovers, racking up 22, which Gonzaga converted into 26 points. A highlight play before halftime saw Saint-Supery connect with Grant-Foster on a backdoor lob, catching Portland off guard.
Missing their second-leading scorer, Cameron Williams, due to a concussion, Portland couldn’t find their rhythm. Gonzaga capitalized on this, tying their season-high with 14 made three-pointers on 36 attempts, shooting 39% from beyond the arc. As they head into March, the Zags' ability to hit from deep could be crucial.
Braeden Smith hit a milestone, reaching 1,000 career points. He joins a roster filled with high scorers, including Venters, Grant-Foster, Ike, Miller, and Braden Huff. Smith and Grant-Foster, coming off the bench, brought energy and excitement, even engaging in a playful dunk contest.
Postgame, the team celebrated by cutting down the nets. Graham Ike shared heartfelt words about his time at Gonzaga, describing it as an "amazing, phenomenal, ineffable" experience. Grant-Foster echoed those sentiments, praising Gonzaga's culture and the opportunity to grow alongside talented teammates.
Key takeaways from the night include Gonzaga's perfect 15-0 home record this season and their 27th West Coast Conference regular-season title. They’ve secured the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.
Looking ahead, Gonzaga faces a crucial matchup against the Saint Mary’s Gaels. With a 6-1 record in Quad 1 games, a victory could solidify their standing as outright West Coast Conference champions. The showdown promises to be a thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry.