SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — In early December, Gonzaga paused all activities on memoir of of the coronavirus. The tip-ranked Bulldogs had five video games canceled attributable to the shutdown, and hadn’t conducted a sport since Dec. 2 earlier than Saturday’s showdown with No. 3 Iowa.
Despite the layoff, Gonzaga confirmed runt rust in a 99-88 victory over the Hawkeyes. That gave the impression very honest for freshman Jalen Suggs who scored 18 of his profession-high 27 parts within the first half of to steer the Bulldogs.
Suggs, the West Soar Convention freshman participant of the week final week, entered the sport in opposition to Iowa averaging 13.3 parts per sport. He blew by that midway by the first half of and accomplished 8 for 17 from the flooring and used to be 7 for 10 from the three-point line after going ethical 2 for 6 from previous the arc on Gonzaga’s first three video games. His previous profession high used to be 24 in opposition to Kansas on Nov. 26.
“This previous week-and-a-half of, I spent various time within the gymnasium on my have, ethical dull at night spending time getting photos up below the gun,” Suggs acknowledged. “Coming into this weekend, I in actuality felt fancy my bounce shot improved and I felt in actuality overjoyed with it. I was telling all people that this used to be a shooter’s gymnasium. It feels in actuality correct in right here and I ethical got right here out as of late in actuality confident.”
Drew Timme added 15 parts and Joel Ayai added 11 parts and grabbed a profession-high 18 rebounds for Gonzaga (4-0).
Luka Garza led Iowa (6-1) with 30 parts and 10 rebounds on 13 of 18 capturing. Joe Wieskamp added 20 parts and nine rebounds for the Hawkeyes.
Gonzaga extinct a 24-10 plug to open things up within the first half of. Suggs scored 10 parts within the course of the plug and Gonzaga continued to pour it on within the first half of, building the consequence in as many as 18 on a Suggs 3-pointer with ethical below two minutes to play. The Bulldogs shot 58% from the flooring within the first half of.
While Gonzaga used to be cruising, Iowa went chilly from the arena. The Hawkeyes went nearly about five minutes with no arena aim within the first half of. The Hawkeyes entered the sport averaging nearly about 12 made 3-pointers per sport. Against Gonzaga, they were ethical 4 for 22.
“I didn’t quiz to shoot 4 for 22,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery acknowledged. “We’ve bought in actuality correct shooters, but I believed for essentially the most segment with the exception of for one or two where we were contested, we had correct shooters capturing open photos. We were at the again of various the sport and that occurs in most cases.
“You omit a couple, then you omit some more. Our predominant success used to be driving the ball and throwing it within. We bought into the double bonus relatively early within the second half of, but then we omit 12 free throws, which is moreover very uncharacteristic of our crew.”
Iowa regarded to bear one final gasp midway by the second half of. After a Garza basket reduce the deficit to 14, the restricted possibility of Iowa followers within the building cheered as the Hawkeyes broke a timeout. A 3-point play by Jack Nunge out of the timeout reduce it to 81-71, and the Pentagon got right here to life as the Hawkeyes eyed a comeback.
The Hawkeyes bought the deficit down to nine with two minutes to play after trailing by as many as 20 when Aaron Cook scored to manufacture it 71-51 with ethical over 13 minutes to play.
HE SAID IT
“It’s massive to hear, but I’m no longer targeted on that. I’m targeted on the right here and now and continuing to take and produce with my guys,” Suggs acknowledged when asked in regards to the NBA and being the possible No. 1 retract. “The educating team has executed a enormous job of keeping me grounded and serving to me care for the open air noise out. Whatever occurs within the damage occurs, but ethical now I’m locked in with my guys.”
ROLE PLAYER
Iowa’s Joe Toussaint conducted a enormous role in Iowa’s surge within the second half of. The sophomore got right here off the bench and scored a profession high 14 parts, nine within the second half of.
BIG PICTURE:
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs at final came upon their vary from the open air, going 13 for 26 from the three-point line. Entering the sport, Gonzaga used to be ethical 16 for 55 from previous the arc in its first three video games.
Iowa: The 99 parts scored by Gonzaga is largely the most Iowa has given up this season. The previous opponent high in opposition to the Hawkeyes used to be 80 in opposition to No. 16 North Carolina on Dec. 8. They gave up 104 final year in opposition to Purdue.
UP NEXT:
Gonzaga: hosts Northwestern Instruct on Monday.
Iowa: opens Big Ten play as soon as they host Purdue on Tuesday.
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