San Diego, CA

Gonzaga’s Graham Ike and Ryan Nembhard close out San Diego State: 3 takeaways

Published

1 year ago

November 19, 2024

Gonzaga’s Graham Ike and Ryan Nembhard close out San Diego State: 3 takeaways

Normally one of the loudest venues in college basketball, the Viejas Arena was oddly quiet for much of Monday night’s anticipated contest between West Coast powerhouses No. 3 Gonzaga and San Diego State.

Much like how the Aztecs stunned everyone in the McCarthey Athletic Center last December, the Bulldogs marched into a hostile environment and came out of the other side with flying colors. Led by strong second-half performances from Graham Ike and Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga outlasted San Diego State, 80-67, in a physical contest between recent Final Four finalists. The seniors combined for 32 of their team’s 40 second-half points to help hand the Aztecs their first home loss to a nonconference opponent since 2021.

Here are three takeaways from Monday’s win.

SUPER SENIORS

The Zags didn’t need much from either one of their Naismith Trophy watch list candidates to build a comfortable lead over the Aztecs early on. Ike picked up two quick fouls less than two minutes into the game, which forced the 6-foot-9 post to hit the bench earlier than he expected. Braden Huff came in and continued his hot start to the season, as he scored 10 points to lead the team at halftime.

Nembhard did a little bit of everything in the first half, finishing with seven points, five assists and three rebounds in 17 minutes. Though the second half, particularly the final 7 minutes, was when he turned things up a notch. As he masterfully worked the pick-and-roll to create just about any type of shot he wanted, Nembhard got to the teeth of the Aztecs’ defense time and time again for either a layup or to draw a foul. He also set up Ike nicely on the low block early in the second half to get the big man rolling for the final 20 minutes.

The Wyoming transfer was 0-5 in his career against the Aztecs entering Monday’s contest. Ike had a 20-point, 10-rebound outing in last season’s matchup in Spokane, though it appeared foul trouble might prevent him from making a significant impact on the outcome of the return game. Especially with the way Huff was able to energize the offense off the bench.

Instead, Ike wasted no time in getting right to work in the second half, as he scored six of the team’s first eight points and made his presence felt on the glass as well. He was no match for San Diego State’s smaller defenders, especially once redshirt freshman Magoon Gwath had to exit with five fouls after 14 minutes of play. The 7-footer still managed to record five blocks in his limited run against the Bulldogs, but the Aztecs couldn’t keep Ike out of the paint forever.

Ike scored 20 of his team-high 23 points after halftime, while Nembhard scored 12 of his 19 points in the second half. Both applied relentless foul pressure down the stretch, as they combined to go 14-of-15 from the charity stripe.

LOTS OF WHISTLES

The fouls were racking up at a high rate for both sides on Monday, as Gonzaga and San Diego State combined for 14 personal fouls to just 11 made field goals through the first 10 minutes of play. The Aztecs entered the bonus at the 13:37 mark after Ben Gregg picked up his second personal, a few minutes before Khalif Battle was called for his second personal on an offensive charge taken by Miles Byrd, who played despite an ankle injury that kept him out of the team’s last game.

Despite key players having to sit with foul trouble, the whistles began to even out toward the end of the first half. The Bulldogs went 12-of-15 from the charity stripe with six different players attempting at least two free throws before halftime, which helped them build a 40-31 advantage in light of going 12-of-29 (41.4%) from the field.

On a night where shots weren’t falling consistently, the Zags found a way to win comfortably by creating immense foul pressure throughout the night, albeit on the road without a favorable whistle on their side.

MORE OF THIS TO COME

Monday’s matchup between two of the five winningest schools over the past five seasons was essentially a sneak peek at a new rivalry that’s set to take shape once the reconstituted Pac-12 becomes official in 2026. The Bulldogs and Aztecs are set to feature as the conference’s marquee brands in men’s college basketball, given their successes in the NCAA Tournament and consistency under their respective head coaches.

One can only hope that in the future, conference games between Gonzaga and San Diego State will be played at on-campus arenas. The McCarthey Athletic and the Viejas Arena are two of the more intimidating environments in the country that are backed by two wild student sections in The Kennel Club and The Show. It’s no wonder the Zags and Aztecs boast two of the five best home-winning percentages over the last five seasons.

Even better, both have stolen one from each other on their home court in each of the past two seasons.

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San Diego, CA

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: May 2026 | San Diego Magazine

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: May 2026 | San Diego Magazine

When we think of May, we think of Mother’s Day, blooming flowers, sunny skies, and lots of fun, seasonal events in the city. This month, locals can dine on the creations of James Beard Award-Winning Chefs at Rancho Bernardo Inn, or take advantage of berry season at the annual Vista Strawberry Festival. Theatre lovers can enjoy a showing of Kim’s Convenience at The Old Globe, while the San Diego Natural History Museum invites art enthusiasts to view its latest marine-themed exhibit. Grab your tickets and crack open that planner. Here are all the best things to do in San Diego this month:

Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month

29

Louisiana legend Juvenile, enhances by the live instrumentation of The 400 Degreez Band, will perform career hits and his newest album, Boiling Point, at House of Blues San Diego.

Photo Credit: Dahlia Katz

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month

5/5–6/1

Turning the spotlight on contemporary LGBTQ artists, the inaugural ArtSpectrum 2026 will showcase both the grand and intimate scale of contemporary painters, photographers, and mixed media artists at Village Arts Outreach in Balboa Park.

12–24

The only ordinary element of the San Diego International Fringe Festival is the constant thrill of the extraordinary. Discover a plethora of innovative performances at venues from Pacific Beach to Baja.

5/15–6/14

A Korean-Canadian family balances tradition and assimilation from their Toronto storefront in Ins Choi’s comforting satire Kim’s Convenience, making its local premier at The Old Globe.

5/22–2/2027

Ocean debris will receive a new beginning at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Using repurposed pollution, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea depicts creatively sculpted marine life.

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month

4/30–5/3

Enjoy fine dining at its finest from a lineup of gastronomic titans during 54 Hours with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs. Savor elegant meals, masterclasses, tastings, and more at Rancho Bernardo Inn.

2

Unlimited bites, regional craft beers, and animal observations are on the menu for San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew (with live music), a culinary evening in support of the San Diego Wildlife Alliance.

7

Spend An Evening with David Sedaris, humorist, essayist, and best-selling author. Never afraid to point the pen at himself, Sedaris will share old favorites and works in progress in the classic satirical style he’s known for at Jacobs Music Center.

15–17

Say cheese! And toast to the Cheese & Libation Expo. Explore three days of all-you-can eat and drink fare at BRICK, along with boutique shopping and bountiful pairings.

PARTNER CONTENT

10 Years In, Puffer and Malarkey Are Just Getting Started

Elevating an Icon: Inside the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Clu…

16

Stroll the private grounds of several luxurious homes, accompanied by live music, tabletop designs, and outdoor artistry, during the Secret Garden Tour, La Jolla Historical Society‘s flora and fauna fundraiser.

24

Vista recalls its days as a strawberry-producing superpower through its free Strawberry Festival. Wear your berry best fit, watch film screenings, and enter contests for shortcake, pie, and sundae indulging.

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San Diego, CA

City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness

Published

14 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness

Last week Mayor Todd Gloria released the budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal budget. Protected homeless services is among his top priorities mentioned in the proposal. However, some of the reductions he’s proposing could impact thousands of San Diegans experiencing homelessness.

Located on 17^th and K Street, the Neil Good Day Center offers an array of services to nearly seven thousand people experiencing homelessness. The services include giving them a place to shower and do laundry, and connecting them to a case manager, among others.

“These are critical services that are helping people off the streets, but really better their lives and their health and their employment situation as well,” Deacon Vargas with Father Joe’s Villages said.

Deacon Jim Vargas heads Father Joe’s Villages, which runs the center. He said through their prevention and diversion strategies, they’ve managed to keep nearly one thousand individuals from falling into homelessness.

“So by helping them pay rent, or helping them with their utilities, or helping them to reunite with family,” Vargas said.

Right now, the city allocates at least $850,000 per year to the Neil Good Day Center, according to Vargas.

But the future and funding for these services are in limbo because of Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget cuts.

“The impact to those whom we’ve been serving the Daily Center would be very severe,” Deacon Vargas said.

In a statement to NBC 7, Mayor Todd Gloria said in part, “We must find more efficient and cost-effective ways to address this crisis and prioritize funding for programs that provide shelter beds and maximize resources to programs that place people into permanent housing.”

Since it’s still at a proposal stage, Deacon Vargas said it’s unclear how the city will decide to move forward.

However, Deacon Vargas said services would be significantly reduced because they would be forced to operate solely on a budget of about half a million dollars they receive from philanthropy.

“The hours would be cut. Some days would be cut. We would have showers that might be impacted because they’re given seven days a week and we’d close two days a week, then the showers would be five days a week, the case management,” Deacon Vargas said.

Deacon Vargas is certain of one thing.

He would like to continue offering services at the Day Center, even if the city goes through with the funding cuts.

“As we work with individuals at the Day Center and at Father Joe’s Villages, the community becomes healthier as a result of it,” Deacon Vargas said.

The budget also recommends additional cuts to homeless services, but does not give specifics as to where those cuts would be.

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