Zags hold off BYU behind huge game from Nigel Williams-Goss

Nigel Williams-Goss scored 33 points to help churn the Zags to victory over a BYU Cougars team that just refused to quit.

The Zags jumped out to a healthy lead in the first half and headed into halftime leading the Cougars by 16 points. At that point, it really seemed like it was going to be a blowout. BYU was shooting 32.3 percent from the floor and looked completely lost on both the offensive and defensive spectrum. But then the second half began, and TJ Haws apparently remembered he was playing a basketball game.

The younger Haws brother scored 23 of his 29 points in the second half as he went on an absolute tear from long range. Luckily, the Zags had their answer in in Williams-Goss. The Gonzaga guard countered with 24 of his 33 points in the second half, at times dragging the Bulldogs to victory kicking and screaming.

It was a frustrating game to watch for the most part, as the Cougars kept on mounting just enough momentum to make the stomach queasy. At times, BYU looked like they were just ready to strike, but then Williams-Goss would hit another one of his patented floaters in the lane, or a big three from the top of the arc.

The Zags needed all the offense they could get from NWG this game. Josh Perkins chipped in 11 points and Johnathan Williams added 12, but the rest of the team became bogged down with foul trouble as the second half progressed. Przemek Karnowski, Perkins, Zach Collins and Killian Tillie all finished the game with four fouls.

Overall, it wasn’t the prettiest win for the Zags, but it was a win that propelled them one win closer to perfection. It also was a solid display of playing in as hostile of an arena as you will see in college basketball. Keeping this one short because this game went on forever, but more to come in the future.