Gonzaga had its worst three-point shooting game of the season here Friday night in the Sweet 16 victory over UCLA.
HOUSTON – Gonzaga had its worst three-point shooting game of the season here Friday night in the Sweet 16 victory over UCLA, and the obvious conclusion was that the mammoth, anti-basketball arena digs at NRG Stadium had something to do with it.
Not so fast, several Zags said afterward.
“We didn’t shoot the ball (well) tonight,” said Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer, who went 0 for 3 from distance. “It’s going to happen some games. We don’t really blame it on the arena or anything like that.”
Game at a glance
Player of the game – Przemek Karnowski, the Zags’ junior center from Poland, maneuvered for 18 points and dished two pretty assists to teammate Domas Sabonis as Gonzaga pulled away in the second half.
Key to the game – After getting outscored in the paint by two points in the second half, Gonzaga ultimately exerted its size underneath, both for baskets and rebounds.
Turning point – After UCLA trimmed a double-deficit to one early in the second half, Gonzaga strung together a 12-0 run, half the points by Karnowski.
Quote – “Przemek had a great game. We’re at our best when he’s good.” — Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer, on Karnowski’s big night.
Gary Bell Jr. whiffed on five three-pointers, but shrugged at the suggestion of an unusual background and said, “No, the ball didn’t go in.”
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The Zags, who shoot a sizzling 41 percent on threes, were just 3 of 19. Their previous worst game was a Jan. 29 game with Portland when they went 5 of 22.
UCLA wasn’t having much better success. It went 3 of 13, its worst mark in six games.
Wesley on a roll
After going 1-6 against UCLA as a USC Trojan, Byron Wesley is getting his pound of flesh. It was a second victory for him and his Gonzaga teammates this year over the Bruins.
“I don’t think I could have written it any better,” said Wesley, who contributed 14 points and six rebounds. “I just wanted to have a shot at the NCAA tournament.”
Wesley did have some defensive struggles against UCLA guard Norman Powell, who hurt him in the first half with drives to the basket. Once the Zags made Powell a jump shooter they thrived, as he made only two of his last eight attempts on a 16-point night.
Poison pill
The Zags like to tout their balanced efforts, and coach Mark Few did that, noting that last week in Seattle, Wiltjer combined for 47 points in two games and Kevin Pangos 34 but that Wesley, Przemek Karnowski and Domas Sabonis were keys to the UCLA win.
“Nobody is happier than Pangos and Bell and Wiltjer,” said Few. “That’s 100 percent of why we’re here and why we’re who we are and why we have 35 wins on the year, which is a crazy, crazy number at Gonzaga.”
Wiltjer had only a 4-for-12 shooting night against Bruin standout forward Kevon Looney. But, not noted for his defense, Wiltjer turned in a creditable effort at the other end, as Looney had just nine points. Looney is widely considered a future first-round NBA pick.
“That’s the beauty of our team,” said guard Eric McClellan. “Pick your poison.”
McClellan noted Karnowski’s “IQ for the game,” and of Sabonis, he said, “Domas played like the beast of the West. “
Notes
• With the victory, Few is 29-14 against teams from the Pac-12. Gonzaga is 3-1 against UCLA, the only loss the devastating 73-71 setback in the 2006 Sweet 16.
• In a stretch of 6:53 of the first half, the teams combined to miss 19 consecutive shots.