Gonzaga shows they are top dog

Keeping an eye on the world of sports during the pandemic:

In earlyDecember, Gonzaga paused all activities because of the coronavirus. The top-ranked Bulldogs had five games canceled due to the shutdown, andhadn’t playeda gamesince Dec. 2beforeSaturday’s showdown with No. 3 Iowa.

Despite the layoff, Gonzaga showed little rust in a 99-88 victoryoverIowa. Thatseemed especially true for freshman JalenSuggs, above, whoscored

18 of his career-high 27 points in the first half to lead theBulldogs.

Suggs entered the game against Iowa averaging 13.3 points per game. He blew by that midway through the first half and finished 8 for 17 from the floor andwas 7 for 10 from the 3-point line after going just

2 for 6 frombeyond the arc on Gonzaga’s first three games. His previous career high was

24 against Kansas onNov. 26. “Thispastweek-and-a-half, I spent a lot of time inthegymby myself, just late atnight spending time getting shotsupunder the gun,” Suggs said. “Coming into this weekend, I really felt like my jump shot improved and I felt really comfortable with it. Iwas telling everybody that this was a shooter’s gym. It feels really good in here and I just came out today really confident.”

Drew Timme added 15 points and Joel Ayai added 11 points and grabbed a careerhigh 18 rebounds for Gonzaga

(4-0). Luka Garza led Iowa

(6-1) with 30 points and 10 rebounds on 13 of 18 shooting. JoeWieskamp added 20 points and nine rebounds for theHawkeyes.”

Gonzaga used a 24-10 run to open things up in the first half. Suggs scored 10 points during the run and Gonzaga continued to pour it on in the first half, building the lead to as many as 18onaSuggs3-pointer with just under two minutes to play. TheBulldogs shot58% fromthe floor in the first half.

WhileGonzagawascruising, Iowawent cold from the field. TheHawkeyeswentnearlyfive minutes without a field goal in the first half.

“No team in SEC history has ever lost but one game and [not] been in it. The other leagues, I love them all, but if we can’t play in this league and be in the playoff, something is wrong.”

— TexasA&Mfootball coach Jimbo Fisher onwhy the Aggies should be in theCollege Football Playoff