PORTLAND - Gonzaga's Gritty Victory Over Kennesaw State
Emmanuel Innocenti's clutch 3-pointer with 11 minutes left signaled a turning point for Gonzaga against Kennesaw State. Although the Zags weren't in the clear just yet, it was a crucial moment for an offense that had been struggling to find its rhythm.
Defensively solid throughout, Gonzaga's offense eventually clicked, propelling the third-seeded team past the 14th-seeded Owls with a 73-64 win at the Moda Center. The victory marked the Zags' 17th consecutive triumph in an NCAA Tournament opener, a streak that stretches back to the days when Stephen Curry's Davidson Wildcats knocked them out in 2008.
Mark Few, Gonzaga's head coach, doesn't take these wins for granted. “Winning in the tournament is tough,” Few remarked.
“I’m proud of our streak of 28 straight appearances and the fact we've won 17 straight openers. It’s never easy, and today was no exception.”
Next up, Gonzaga (31-3) faces 11th-seeded Texas (20-14) in the Round of 32. Texas advanced by overcoming a stellar 35-point performance from BYU's AJ Dybantsa. Few's teams hold a 5-4 record against Texas coach Sean Miller, with their last meeting resulting in a close 88-84 win for Gonzaga.
Kennesaw State didn't make it easy, applying constant pressure and causing foul trouble for Gonzaga's rotation. Despite a 14-point lead late in the second half, the Owls staged a rally that tested the Zags' resolve.
Gonzaga's point guard, Mario Saint-Supery, fouled out with under two minutes remaining, while Graham Ike and Jalen Warley played with four fouls each. Yet, they delivered when it mattered. Warley’s offensive rebound and Ike’s floater in the final minutes helped seal the victory.
Trailing for much of the first half, Gonzaga surged ahead with a 10-0 run, taking a 33-27 lead into halftime. Freshman Davis Fogle's buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave the Zags a crucial edge.
Fogle, who hails from Washington, expressed his excitement: “Playing in these big games is what it’s all about. Seeing the Zags succeed in the tournament is amazing.”
Graham Ike led the team with 19 points, while Fogle contributed 17 points in his NCAA Tournament debut. Warley added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability.
Coach Few praised Warley’s impact, noting, “He’s versatile, playing both ends effectively. His ability to make plays and disrupt on defense is invaluable.”
Saint-Supery chipped in with seven points, eight assists, and four rebounds. Tyon Grant-Foster provided a spark off the bench with nine points and five rebounds, while Innocenti added seven points.
Kennesaw State had a balanced attack with Amir Taylor and RJ Johnson each scoring 15 points, followed by Kaden Richard with 14 and Frankquon Sherman with 13. Despite their efforts, Gonzaga's depth and resilience ultimately prevailed.