March Madness 2022: Gonzaga comes alive late to race past Georgia State

Gonzaga coach Mark Few has seen loads of No. 16 seeds within the first spherical of the NCAA Match. When he watched video of Georgia State, the longtime Bulldogs’ coach did not see a crew that match that profile.

Few turned to be appropriate. Gonzaga spent half-hour struggling to create any separation towards the Sixteenth-seeded Panthers earlier than pulling away late for a 93-72 win on Thursday.

“As soon as we began actually breaking them down, I saved telling folks that’s not a 16 seed,” Few stated after Gonzaga gained its thirteenth straight first-round sport within the NCAAs. “I feel they confirmed it tonight. Georgia State gave us fairly a battle.”

The Bulldogs ultimately had an excessive amount of dimension and talent for the Panthers. Drew Timme scored 22 of his 32 factors within the second half, making up for a sluggish begin by the Zags and a protracted stretch of the primary half when the event’s No. 1 total seed could not make a basket.

Even when Gonzaga’s offense kicked into gear after halftime, the Panthers did not fold.

The eventual overwhelming surge from the Bulldogs lastly arrived with about 10 minutes to go. Gonzaga went on a 24-1 run, turning a four-point sport into the blowout that was anticipated. The Zags will face the West Area’s No. 9 seed, Memphis, within the second spherical on Saturday.

Timme was the catalyst, topping 30 factors for the fifth time in his profession whereas additionally grabbing 13 rebounds. Chet Holmgren, the Zags’ 7-foot freshman, added 19 factors, 17 rebounds and 7 blocks.

“My guys had my again and the coaches believed in me. I simply had confidence from them,” stated Timme, who was 3 of seven taking pictures and 4 of 9 on the foul line within the first half. “It’s actually reassuring. It actually might help provide you with a lift once you get a little bit down on your self.”

Corey Allen led Georgia State (18-11) with 16 factors, and Jalen Thomas and Kane Williams each added 12. The Panthers trailed by two at halftime regardless of taking pictures 29% and have been down 62-58 with 10 1/2 minutes left. From there, they watched Gonzaga put collectively the type of spurt that is made it the favourite to win its first nationwide title.

Georgia State, the Solar Belt Convention champion, got here in with a 10-game profitable streak and one loss since Jan. 27.

“I hate for these guys that the rating actually isn’t indicative of how the sport was actually performed,” Georgia State coach Rob Lanier stated. “I’m actually happy with these guys, not only for the trouble tonight, only for their total contributions to our program.”

Gonzaga led 64-58 when Holmgren scored on a putback and Nolan Hickman blocked a shot and scored in transition. Six factors from Timme rapidly pushed the result in 16.

By the point Georgia State scored once more with 5 minutes left, the Panthers trailed by 22 and the dream of the second 16-over-1 upset in event historical past had fizzled.

“We simply wanted to come back again and be who we’re within the second half, and I feel they did a terrific job with that,” Few stated.

Even when Timme scored 10 factors within the first six minutes of the second half, the Panthers hung round due to the taking pictures of Justin Roberts, Williams and Allen.

Ultimately, the Panthers began lacking and Gonzaga’s stars saved scoring. Foul hassle additionally caught up with Georgia State as Kaleb Scott dedicated his fifth foul with 10:26 left, considered one of three inside gamers to foul out for the Panthers.

“We gave them a whole lot of simple buckets within the paint and a whole lot of fouls,” Williams stated. “These fouls type of bit us. We simply couldn’t overcome after that.”

BIG PICTURE

Georgia State: Making their fifth NCAA Match look, the Panthers merely didn’t have the inside our bodies to match the Bulldogs. It didn’t assist when ahead Eliel Nsoseme went down clutching his left knee within the latter portion of the primary half. Nsoseme was down on the courtroom for a number of minutes slapping the ground and yelling in discomfort earlier than ultimately strolling to the locker room. Lanier stated he did not understand how severe the damage however was informed there was no probability Nsoseme might have returned.

Gonzaga: Foul taking pictures will likely be one thing to look at for the Bulldogs. Gonzaga was 9 of 19 within the first half and 16 of 30 for the sport. The Zags had been stable for a lot of the season, taking pictures 73% as a crew.

UP NEXT

Gonzaga will face a harmful Memphis crew that bounced again from a tough begin to the season.