LAS VEGAS - Gonzaga opened the season with a 78-72 win over Purdue on Monday at T-Mobile Arena, and three players helped shape the night in very different ways.
Xaivian Lee looked right at home in his first game for the Zags. The starting point guard was flawless for most of the night, missing his first free throw with 10:13 left after going 4 of 4 from the field, 3 of 4 from 3-point range and 4 of 4 at the line. The transfer guard, who came to Gonzaga after three seasons at Princeton, delivered in the game’s biggest stretches.
Lee didn’t score until about 5:30 remained in the first half, but his first basket was a 3-pointer that put Gonzaga ahead 31-30. He followed with another triple to wipe out a short Purdue lead.
Later, he sparked an 11-2 run with three free throws, another 3 and an assist, helping Gonzaga build a 51-42 cushion with 14:52 left. He finished with 18 points, four rebounds and three assists on 4-of-7 shooting.
Braden Huff also made his return after being sidelined since the Jan. 8 Santa Clara game last season with a dislocated kneecap, though the touch around the rim wasn’t quite where it usually is.
Huff, who spent plenty of time matched up with former Glenbard West High teammate Caden Pierce, had several shots roll off. He went 2 of 5 in the first half before breaking through with a tough baseline finish from about 6 feet that pushed Gonzaga’s lead to 56-48.
He added a putback to make it 65-56 with 6:47 to play. Huff, who averaged 17.8 points last season, ended up with 10 points and seven rebounds on 4-of-11 shooting.
Pierce finished with seven points and six rebounds.
Massamba Diop gave Gonzaga an early jolt and then spent much of the night battling foul trouble. The 7-foot-1 transfer from Arizona State scored the Zags’ first points of the season with a smooth 3-pointer and dunked a few minutes later, but turnovers and fouls quickly became an issue.
He picked up his third foul 28 seconds into the second half and later drew his fourth with 7:59 remaining, about a minute after returning to the floor. Purdue center Daniel Jacobsen made the most of Diop’s absence with a pair of inside baskets.
Diop finished with seven points and two rebounds in 16 minutes, going 2 of 3 from the field.
Reserve forward Izan Almansa also gave Gonzaga a lift, scoring 11 points and grabbing four rebounds in 29 minutes.
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