SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — Gonzaga used a dominant second half to defeat Pacific 71-62 in a West Coast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at McCarthey Athletic Center. The teams were tied 29-29 at halftime, but the Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 42-33 after the break. Davis Fogle led Gonzaga with 18 points, while Graham Ike added 20 points and three blocks. Gonzaga’s defense forced 10 turnovers and blocked seven shots. Justin Rochelin scored 12 points for Pacific, which fell to 17-13 overall. Gonzaga, which entered as a heavy favorite, improved to 27-2. An announced crowd of 6,000 attended.

SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive intensity and offensive frustration, the Gonzaga Bulldogs used a dominant second-half performance to pull away from a pesky Pacific Tigers squad for a 71-62 victory in a West Coast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at a sold-out McCarthey Athletic Center. A crowd of 6,000 watched as the Bulldogs, now 27-2 overall, shook off a sluggish first half to outscore the Tigers 42-33 after halftime. Pacific, which fell to 17-13, matched Gonzaga blow for blow in the opening period, with the teams locked in a 29-29 tie at the break. The turning point came as Gonzaga’s defense, led by its imposing frontcourt, ratcheted up the pressure, forcing the Tigers into a series of costly mistakes while capitalizing on their own opportunities at the free-throw line. The most critical stretch of the game unfolded midway through the second half. With Gonzaga clinging to a narrow lead, the Bulldogs unleashed a decisive 12-2 run that spanned just over three minutes. The surge was fueled by stifling defense that generated multiple Pacific turnovers and contested shots, coupled with efficient offense from Gonzaga’s key players. Graham Ike, who finished with a team-high 20 points, was a central figure during this pivotal sequence, scoring on consecutive possessions in the post. Davis Fogle, who led all scorers with 18 points, added a crucial step-back jumper, and Emmanuel Innocenti capped the run with a three-pointer that pushed the Bulldogs’ lead to double digits for the first time. Pacific never recovered, unable to cut the deficit below seven points the rest of the way. The statistical story underscored Gonzaga’s defensive mastery and Pacific’s offensive struggles. The Bulldogs committed a mere four turnovers while forcing 10 from the Tigers. Gonzaga also dominated the defensive interior, recording seven blocked shots to Pacific’s two, and tallied five steals. Pacific’s offense, which managed only two assists for the entire game, was consistently disrupted by Gonzaga’s length and activity. The Tigers shot a respectable 46.9% from the field but were hampered by 10 offensive fouls and shot clock violations at inopportune times. Ike’s 20-point effort was complemented by three blocks, anchoring the paint for Gonzaga. Fogle’s 18 points came on efficient shooting, while Innocenti provided 13 points, two blocks, and relentless defensive energy. Tyon Grant-Foster added 10 points and a key block for the Bulldogs. Pacific was led by Justin Rochelin, who played all 40 minutes and scored 12 points while grabbing a game-high nine rebounds. Elias Ralph and TJ Wainwright each added 12 points for the Tigers. Point guard Jaden Clayton facilitated much of Pacific’s early offense, dishing out eight of the team’s two total assists, but the Tigers’ offensive flow vanished against Gonzaga’s heightened defensive effort in the second half. Gonzaga’s offense, while not at its peak efficiency, did enough by getting to the free-throw line 29 times, making 18, and by scoring 15 points off Pacific turnovers. The Bulldogs shot 42.9% from the field and just 26.3% from three-point range, but their control of the game’s tempo and their ability to generate second-chance opportunities with 12 offensive rebounds proved decisive. The victory extends Gonzaga’s home court dominance and keeps them atop the WCC standings. The Bulldogs, who were projected by National Statistical’s ELO system with a 99.10 percent probability to win, next host Portland on Wednesday. Pacific, which has lost three of its last four games, will look to regroup when it hosts San Francisco next Saturday.

Gonzaga Set to Host Pacific in WCC Showdown SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — The Gonzaga Bulldogs, riding a wave of dominant victories, will host the Pacific Tigers in a West Coast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga (26-2, 12-1 WCC) enters as one of the nation’s hottest teams, having won 10 of its last 11 games. The Bulldogs are coming off an 80-59 road rout of San Francisco on Wednesday, a performance emblematic of their season-long prowess. Their lone conference loss was an 87-80 setback at Portland on Feb. 4. Pacific (17-12, 7-6) seeks a season-defining upset but faces a steep challenge. The Tigers have lost three of their last four, including an 87-70 non-conference defeat at Washington State on Wednesday. They are 1-5 on the road in WCC play this season. The matchup features a stark contrast in strengths. Gonzaga’s attack is powered by forward Graham Ike, who has been a model of consistency. Ike is averaging 24.2 points over his last six games, including a 35-point outburst at Oregon State on Feb. 7. He scored 22 points with three assists and two blocks in the win over San Francisco. Pacific will counter with guard TJ Wainwright, its leading offensive threat. Wainwright has scored in double figures in eight consecutive games, averaging 14.8 points during that stretch. He poured in 27 points in a 92-59 win at Pepperdine on Feb. 7. In the loss to Washington State, he played 32 minutes, contributing 11 points and four assists. The Bulldogs have dominated the recent series, winning the last 22 meetings. In their first matchup this season on Jan. 3, Gonzaga secured an 85-62 victory in Stockton, California. Ike led all scorers with 24 points in that game, while Wainwright was held to nine points for Pacific. For the Tigers to challenge, they must improve their road defense against a Gonzaga offense averaging 81.2 points per game. The Bulldogs have won their 13 home games this season by an average margin of 24.2 points. Following this game, Gonzaga will prepare for a pivotal road test at Saint Mary’s next Saturday. Pacific returns home to host San Francisco on Feb. 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST on ESPNU.