Gonzaga barely survived a tough test from Kennesaw State, pulling away late to win 73-64 in the NCAA Tournament’s first round Thursday night. The Bulldogs came into the game as heavy favorites but faced stiff resistance from the underdog Owls in Portland.
Battle in Portland
Gonzaga, the No. 3 seed, entered the NCAA Tournament with a stellar 30-3 record and high expectations. They faced off against Kennesaw State, a scrappy No. 14 seed boasting a solid 21-14 mark after capturing the Conference USA Tournament title. The matchup took place at the Moda Center, with tipoff at 10 p.m. ET on TBS.
From the opening minutes, Kennesaw State showed no intention of folding. They jumped out to an early 14-7 lead, challenging Gonzaga’s dominance. The Owls played physical defense and attacked the rim aggressively, drawing fouls and forcing Gonzaga to adjust. Gonzaga struggled to find rhythm offensively in the first half, especially drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line.
Still, Gonzaga’s experience began to shine through. Jalen Warley scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, helping the Bulldogs erase the deficit. A 10-0 run late in the half gave Gonzaga a 33-27 advantage at halftime. The Owls were undeterred, keeping the game close into the second half.
Drama in the Final Minutes
The second half turned into a tug-of-war. Gonzaga stretched the lead to 42-31 early, but Kennesaw State fought back, closing within four points thanks to key free throws and layups.
The Owls’ RJ Johnson and Amir Taylor combined for 30 points, pushing their team to the brink.
Gonzaga’s Graham Ike, who finished with 19 points, was a force down the stretch, though not without controversy. Ike was called for a flagrant foul late against Frankquon Sherman, igniting the crowd and adding tension. Sherman’s free throws brought Kennesaw State within five points with just over three minutes left.
Mario Saint-Supery fouled out for Gonzaga, further tightening the contest. But Ike answered with a critical jumper, and the Bulldogs held on despite Kennesaw State’s furious rally. Davis Fogle contributed 17 points, including a thunderous dunk that gave Gonzaga its first double-digit lead with just under eight minutes remaining.
Key Takeaways and What’s Next
Gonzaga’s coach Mark Few admitted the game was far from pretty. “We battled the storms,” Ike said. Few echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the victory amid adversity. The Bulldogs move on to face No. 11 seed Texas on Saturday, their longest tournament streak intact at 27 consecutive appearances.
Kennesaw State’s coach Antoine Pettway was proud of his team’s effort, calling it a valuable experience despite the loss. The Owls showed resilience and toughness, traits that helped them win their conference tournament and earn a second March Madness berth in four years.
Gonzaga will look to capitalize on their depth and experience as they prepare for tougher competition ahead. This Bulldogs finished the regular season with a dominant record and secured their sixth West Coast Conference Tournament title in seven years. They’re also set to join the Pac-12 next season as a non-football member, marking a new chapter for the program.
Kennesaw State relied on a balanced scoring attack after losing their top scorer, Simeon Cottle, to a gambling scandal earlier in the season. Despite the setback, the team’s ability to draw fouls and attack inside kept them competitive against one of the nation’s best squads.
The game featured 154.5 points set as the total, with Gonzaga favored by 21.5 points. While the Bulldogs covered the spread, the Owls made a strong showing that defied expectations and added excitement to the tournament’s first night.
Gonzaga’s narrow escape against Kennesaw State sets up an intriguing second-round matchup with Texas. The Bulldogs’ path to another deep tournament run won’t be easy, but they proved they can grind out wins when it counts.
