Three Takeaways from Gonzaga's Commanding 86-65 Win Over Washington State
Gonzaga rolled into Pullman and left with more than just a win-they sent a message. Even without one of their key contributors, the Zags imposed their will on both ends of the floor, extending their win streak to 11 games with a wire-to-wire 86-65 victory over Washington State. Let’s break down three key takeaways from a night that showcased Gonzaga’s depth, versatility, and relentless effort on the glass.
1. Jalen Warley Steps Up in Braden Huff’s Absence
With Braden Huff sidelined for the next 4-8 weeks due to a knee injury, Gonzaga needed someone to fill the void-and Jalen Warley answered the call in a big way. Starting in Huff’s place, Warley wasted no time making his presence felt.
In the first half alone, the 6-foot-7 senior was everywhere: 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, three offensive rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and two assists. That’s not filling in-that’s taking over.
Warley brought a defensive edge, too. He turned defense into offense with a pair of steals, one leading to a layup and the other to a slick assist. He even drew a charge on WSU’s Simon Hildebrandt, who was one of the few bright spots for the Cougars with 12 first-half points off the bench.
With Huff out, Gonzaga leaned heavily on Graham Ike, especially in the paint. Ike logged 19 first-half minutes and scored eight points in the final five minutes of the half, helping GU stretch its lead. Davis Fogle also gave them quality minutes off the bench, chipping in five points and knocking down a smooth jumper to close the half.
Even with their frontcourt rotation shaken up, the Zags didn’t stray from their identity. They kept playing inside-out, dominated the offensive glass, and got out in transition.
The result? A jaw-dropping 52-12 advantage in paint points.
Warley cooled off in the second half after picking up his third foul early and sitting for an extended stretch, but the tone he set in the first 20 minutes helped Gonzaga control the game from the jump.
2. A Defense That Flashed Brilliance-and Some Lapses
Gonzaga’s defense was a bit of a rollercoaster in the first half, but when they locked in, they were flat-out disruptive. The Zags went on a 15-0 run, holding Washington State scoreless for over six minutes. That stretch of suffocating defense turned into easy buckets on the other end and helped build an early cushion.
But WSU responded with a flurry of threes-three straight from Hildebrandt-and suddenly it was a one-point game. The Cougars caught fire, hitting nine straight shots at one point, including seven from beyond the arc.
Just as quickly, though, the fire fizzled. Gonzaga tightened up again, and WSU missed nine of their next 10 shots, allowing GU to rebuild a double-digit lead by halftime.
The Zags were active in passing lanes and aggressive on the ball, forcing 10 first-half turnovers and converting them into 14 points. That trend continued in the second half. By the final buzzer, Gonzaga had forced 17 turnovers and turned them into 27 points-nearly a third of their total offense.
WSU lived and died by the three, finishing 13-of-28 from deep but only 40.4% overall. Gonzaga’s defensive pressure clearly disrupted their rhythm inside the arc, and the Zags made them pay for every mistake.
3. Rebounding: The Unsung Dominance
If there was one area where Gonzaga absolutely imposed its will, it was on the glass. The Zags didn’t just win the rebounding battle-they owned it.
They jumped out to an 18-10 edge on the boards in the first half, including an 8-2 advantage on the offensive end. That effort translated directly into points, as GU racked up 17 second-chance points before WSU even got on the board in that category. It wasn’t until Hildebrandt hit an and-one three with just under 10 minutes left that the Cougars finally broke through.
By the end of the night, the numbers told the story: Gonzaga outrebounded WSU 43-29, including a 17-10 edge on the offensive glass. They held a 19-4 advantage in second-chance points-an area that often separates good teams from great ones.
It wasn’t just Graham Ike doing the heavy lifting, though he did lead the way with 11 rebounds to go along with his 23 points and five assists. Tyon Grant-Foster, Emmanuel Innocenti, and Adam Miller all grabbed five boards apiece, while Warley and Braeden Smith chipped in four each. It was a total team effort, and it showed in the way Gonzaga controlled tempo and limited WSU’s opportunities.
Bottom Line: Even without Braden Huff, Gonzaga looked every bit like a team built for March. They got a breakout performance from Warley, a steady double-double from Ike, and a defense that, when locked in, can suffocate opponents. Combine that with relentless rebounding and a paint presence that overwhelmed the Cougars, and you’ve got the blueprint for a dominant road win-and a team that’s only getting stronger.