Gonzaga shows they are top dog
In early December, Gonzaga paused all activities because of the coronavirus. The top-ranked Bulldogs had five games canceled due to the shutdown, and hadn’t played a game since Dec. 2 before Saturday’s showdown with No. 3 Iowa.
Despite the layoff, Gonzaga showed little rust in a 99-88 victory over Iowa. That seemed especially true for freshman Jalen Suggs, above, whoscored 18 of his career-high 27 points in the first half to lead the Bulldogs.
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 and was 7 for 10 from the 3-point line after going just 2 for 6 from beyond the arc on Gonzaga’s first three games. His previous career high was 24 against Kansas on Nov. 26.
“This past week-and-a-half, I spent a lot of time in the gym by myself,justlateatnightspending time getting shots up under the gun,” Suggs said. “Coming into thisweekend,Ireallyfeltlikemy jump shot improved and I felt really comfortable with it. I was telling everybody that this wasa shooter’sgym.Itfeelsreallygood inhereandIjustcameouttoday really confident.”
DrewTimmeadded15points and Joel Ayai added 11 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds for Gonzaga (4-0). Luka Garza led Iowa (6-1) with 30points and10rebounds on13 of 18 shooting. Joe Wieskamp added 20 points and nine rebounds for the Hawkeyes.”
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 18 on a Suggs 3-pointer with just under two minutes to play. The Bulldogs shot 58% from the floor in the first half.
While Gonzaga was cruising, Iowa went cold from the field. TheHawkeyes went nearly five 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.”
— Texas A&Mfootball coach Jimbo Fisher on why the Aggies should be in the College Football Playoff