Braden Huff Erupts for 37 as No. 7 Gonzaga Overpowers Campbell in Spokane
Gonzaga didn’t just win on Wednesday night - they put on a clinic. Behind a career night from Braden Huff, the seventh-ranked Bulldogs rolled past Campbell, 98-70, in front of a home crowd that saw their big man turn into a walking bucket.
Huff was nearly perfect - literally. The 6-foot-10 junior torched the Fighting Camels for 37 points on an eye-popping 16-for-18 shooting.
He had 26 of those in the first half alone, and he didn’t miss a shot in the opening 20 minutes. That’s not just efficient - that’s dominant.
And it set the tone for a Gonzaga team that looked every bit like a top-10 squad.
Huff Sets the Tone Early
From the opening tip, Huff made it clear this was going to be his night. He scored eight of Gonzaga’s first 15 points as the Zags opened with an 11-0 run to take a quick 15-4 lead.
Campbell tried to punch back with a 7-0 run of their own, but Huff wasn’t slowing down. He added five more points during a 9-2 Gonzaga burst that stretched the lead to 36-22 with just under seven minutes to go in the half.
By halftime, Gonzaga had built a 55-36 cushion, shooting a blistering 63% from the field. Huff?
A perfect 12-for-12 with 26 points. It was the kind of first half that forces you to check the box score twice just to make sure it’s real.
A Balanced Attack Behind the Star
While Huff stole the spotlight, he wasn’t alone in doing damage. Graham Ike chipped in a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards, providing physicality in the paint and a steady presence on both ends. Steele Venters added 13 points, including a pair of timely threes that helped slam the door shut in the second half.
As a team, Gonzaga dominated the interior - outscoring Campbell 64-38 in the paint. That’s not just a stat; that’s a statement. The Zags controlled the glass, controlled the tempo, and made life miserable for Campbell’s defense every time the ball touched the post.
Campbell Fights, But Can’t Keep Up
To their credit, the Fighting Camels didn’t fold. Dovydas Butka led the way with 19 points, and DJ Smith added 18. They made a push midway through the second half, stringing together an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 72-62 and inject a little tension into the building.
But Gonzaga answered like a veteran team. Venters drilled back-to-back threes, and the Bulldogs ripped off a 15-2 run that pushed the lead to 87-64 with four minutes left. Just like that, the game was out of reach.
Campbell struggled from deep all night, hitting just 5 of 23 from beyond the arc. Against a team like Gonzaga - especially when Huff is putting on a masterclass - that’s a tough recipe to overcome.
What’s Next
Campbell will head to Minnesota for their next matchup, looking to bounce back after a tough road loss.
Gonzaga, now 11-1 on the season, shifts focus to a Sunday showdown with Oregon in Portland. If Huff continues to play like this - and if the supporting cast keeps clicking - the Zags are going to be a serious problem for anyone standing in their way.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a reminder of what Gonzaga basketball looks like when everything is firing.