Gonzaga Opens WCC Play with Statement Win, Blows Past Pepperdine 96-56
MALIBU, Calif. - If Gonzaga’s nonconference dominance left any doubt about their readiness for the grind of West Coast Conference play, Sunday night put that to rest. The seventh-ranked Bulldogs didn’t just show up at Firestone Fieldhouse - they kicked the door down.
Gonzaga rolled to a 96-56 win over Pepperdine in their WCC opener, extending a pair of streaks that speak volumes about the program’s sustained excellence. This marked the Zags’ 30th straight win in a conference opener and their 50th consecutive victory over the Waves - a run that now stands as the second-longest head-to-head winning streak in NCAA history. Only UCLA’s 52-game stretch over Cal from 1961 to 1985 tops it.
From the opening tip, this one was all Gonzaga. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 9-0 lead before Pepperdine could even get on the board - and by halftime, it was already an 18-point gap. The Zags never looked back.
Braeden Smith Sets the Tone
Back in the starting lineup for the first time since mid-November, Braeden Smith wasted no time making his presence felt. The redshirt junior point guard was flirting with a triple-double by halftime and finished with 15 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. It was his second straight game in double figures, building off a 21-point performance against Oregon just before the holiday break.
Smith didn’t just control the offense - he orchestrated it. His tempo, vision, and ability to push the pace kept Pepperdine on its heels all night.
Gonzaga’s Depth on Full Display
This was a classic Gonzaga performance - balanced scoring, efficient shooting, and a defense that smothered the life out of the opponent. Five Bulldogs finished in double figures, and the team shot over 60% from the field.
Graham Ike hit a major career milestone, grabbing his 1,000th rebound early in the first half. He wrapped up the night with 13 points and 10 boards - his eighth double-double of the season - and shot an efficient 6-of-9 from the floor.
Tyon Grant-Foster was a force on both ends, tying his career high with four blocks while pouring in 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. He continues to be a matchup nightmare with his length and athleticism.
Off the bench, freshman Davis Fogle added 15 points, showing off his scoring instincts and ability to stretch the floor. Braden Huff chipped in with 10, rounding out a Gonzaga attack that was relentless from start to finish.
Defensive Dominance Fuels the Rout
While the offense hummed, the defense was downright suffocating. Gonzaga held Pepperdine scoreless for more than five minutes late in the first half and without a field goal for nearly eight minutes. That stretch included an 18-0 run that blew the game wide open and effectively ended any hope of a Waves comeback.
The Zags dictated everything - tempo, spacing, matchups - and left little doubt about who the better team was.
What’s Next
With the win, Gonzaga improves to 13-1 overall and 1-0 in WCC play. They’ll wrap up their Southern California road swing on Tuesday against San Diego (6-7, 1-0), who opened their own conference slate with a 66-54 win over Pacific earlier Sunday.
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Jenny Craig Pavilion, with coverage on KHQ and ESPN+.
If Sunday night was any indication, the Zags are locked in and ready to chase another WCC crown - and they’re doing it with the kind of depth, poise, and defensive edge that could carry them deep into March.