Gonzaga’s 81-61 Win Over Oregon State: 3 Takeaways That Tell the Story
Gonzaga rolled into Corvallis and left with a convincing 81-61 win over Oregon State, but it wasn’t just the final score that told the story. This one was about timely defense, a dominant performance from Graham Ike, and steady point guard play that helped the Zags pull away late. Here’s what stood out from Saturday’s matchup at Gill Coliseum.
1. Defense Tightens Up When It Matters Most
Let’s be honest - early on, it looked like Gonzaga’s defense might still be stuck in the second half of that Portland game, where they gave up 48 points on nearly 70% shooting. Oregon State came out firing, hitting five of their first six shots and cruising along at a blistering 68.8% clip for the first 16 minutes.
But then the Zags flipped the switch.
Gonzaga closed the first half on a much-needed defensive surge, holding the Beavers to just 1-of-6 shooting to erase a one-point deficit and take a 38-34 lead into the locker room. That stretch set the tone for what came next.
In the second half, the Zags looked much more like the team we’ve seen earlier in the season. They didn’t rack up a huge number of takeaways - just nine turnovers forced - but they made those moments count. At one point, Gonzaga held a 13-0 advantage in points off turnovers, a major reason they were able to stretch their lead to 61-51.
The defining defensive moment came during an 18-6 run that gave GU full control at 73-54. Oregon State hit just 1 of 8 shots during that stretch. The Beavers’ second-half shooting dipped to 33.3%, and while they did knock down five more threes, they couldn’t string together enough stops or clean looks to mount a serious comeback.
A key part of that defensive effort? Emmanuel Innocenti.
The freshman wing bounced back with a strong showing, helping limit Oregon State’s leading scorer, Josiah Lake II, who finished with just eight points and two assists. Lake, who’d been averaging 13.5 points and 3.8 assists, was clearly hobbled at times and never found his rhythm - a welcome change for Gonzaga after Portland’s Joel Foxwell lit them up for 27 and eight just days earlier.
2. Graham Ike Continues to Dominate
Graham Ike is in full takeover mode, and Oregon State had no answers.
The 6-foot-9 senior forward went to work early and often, punishing the Beavers’ rotating cast of big men - including 7-footers Noah Amenhauser and Johan Munch - and carving up zone defenses like a veteran who’s seen it all before. Ike scored 19 of Gonzaga’s 38 first-half points on 7-of-10 shooting, and he didn’t slow down after the break.
Whether it was powering through contact, stepping out for a jumper, or finding teammates when double-teamed, Ike showed the complete package. His six quick points and a slick assist to Davis Fogle for a dunk helped push Gonzaga’s lead to 61-51 midway through the second half.
By the time he laid in his final bucket with 1:12 left, Ike had tied his career high with 35 points - a mark he previously hit back in 2021 at Wyoming. He finished 13-of-18 from the field, knocked down a three, and went 8-of-9 from the line. That’s as efficient as it gets.
And if you’re keeping score at home, here’s what Ike has done since returning from his ankle injury: 30 points vs. Saint Mary’s, 24 against Portland, and now 35 against Oregon State.
That’s five straight games with at least 23 points, including three 30-plus performances. Gonzaga’s offense is running through him right now - and with good reason.
3. Point Guards Steer the Ship
Gonzaga’s point guards didn’t light up the scoreboard, but they didn’t need to. Braeden Smith and Mario Saint-Supery played their roles to perfection, setting the table and keeping the offense humming.
Smith dished out six assists in just 14 minutes, including a pair of perfectly placed lobs that turned into highlight finishes by Tyon Grant-Foster and Ike. He only took two shots, but his impact was felt every time he touched the ball.
Saint-Supery, meanwhile, played 26 minutes and added five assists of his own. He struggled a bit with his shot (2-of-9 from the field) but took care of the ball and didn’t commit a turnover. That kind of steady hand is exactly what Gonzaga needs from its young guard rotation.
Defensively, both guards held their own against Josiah Lake II, helping limit the Beavers’ top playmaker and keeping Oregon State from generating consistent offense off the dribble.
As a team, Gonzaga finished with 20 assists on 32 made field goals - a clear sign of a well-connected offense that’s sharing the ball and finding the right looks.
Final Word
This was the kind of bounce-back performance Gonzaga needed after the Portland loss. The defense locked in down the stretch, Graham Ike continued his tear through opposing frontcourts, and the point guards kept the offense flowing. If the Zags can bottle this formula - especially the second-half defense - they’ll be a tough out for anyone down the stretch.