Gonzaga Squeaks out Win over Washington, 81-79

Bill Walton asked his broadcasting partner, Dave Pasch, if he had parents. Enough said.

It has been 74 years since Washington has beaten Gonzaga in Spokane. That streak continues as the Gonzaga Bulldogs grit out a win over UW to be the top dog in the state of Washington. That is all due to Rui for the game-winning jump shot, a part of his game that has extremely improved this season. The Zags struggled throughout this game to push ahead of the Huskies and their zone defense but a win is a win. Thanks to this victory, GU improves to 9-0 on the season.

Washington vs Gonzaga Observations:

• Hachimura was attacking the rim early on. He had 18 points in the 1st half, 6 points coming from the free throw line.
• Gonzaga shot a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line in the 1st half. Clarke is starting to look more comfortable at the charity stripe.
• The UW zone is extremely annoying and Gonzaga seemed to have trouble with it in this ugly game.
• “What’s your name again?” - Bill Walton to Dave Pasch (numerous times).
• Rui and Perkins played all twenty minutes in the 1st half.

• Washington came out hot to start the 2nd half and went on a 15-2 run.
• Perkins took some questionable shots in that half.
• A huge loss for the Huskies as Hameir Wright fouled out with 10 minutes left in the 2nd half.
• Zags were feasting in the paint once again. Kispert and Norvell had some great interior passing.
• Huskies were also eating in the paint. Noah Dickerson had a solid night (13 points, 7 rebounds) but fouled out with 3 minutes left in the game.
• Gonzaga defense was looking a bit sloppy in the 2nd half.
• Jaylen Nowell (26 points, 6 assists) could be the best player in the PAC-12. Bol Bol and Nowell will be fighting for that right.
• Brandon Clarke wasn’t playing like his normal self tonight but still had a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds). He missed a lot of buckets right under the rim.
• Zach Norvell fouled out and wasn’t on the court for the final play of the game (79-79 with less than 20 seconds left).
• Rui Hachimura for National Player of the Year. He hit the contested game-winning jumper which is becoming the best part of his game. Finished with 26 points and 7 rebounds.
• Gonzaga continued to be hot from the free throw line with a perfect 19 for 19.
• No sight of Greg Foster Jr. or Joel Ayayi in this one.

Time to get ready for a huge test as Gonzaga plays in the Jerry Colangelo Classic in Phoenix against #7 Tennessee. The North Carolina matchup was the one to save on the calendar before the season started. Due to the Tar Heels’ recent struggles with losses against Texas and at #7 Michigan, Rick Barnes and the Volunteers look like a tougher matchup for Gonzaga.

*Arden Cravalho is a senior at Gonzaga University... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho