The Zags used a scoring high from Malachi smith who had 27- point, stroking seven 3’s, as the 8th ranked Bulldogs dominated the Portland Pilots on their way to a 115-75 to go to 16-3, 5-0 in conference.
Gonzaga trailed in this one, they went up they pulled up by 30 mid-way through the first half and never looked back. Some home cooking was in order after a tough 3-game road trip that saw them get three conference wins all winning by five points or less.
Gonzaga go the 3 ball going early and often shooting 44 percent from behind the arc.
“We knew their game plan was to pack the paint and so coach was telling us just to be ready to shoot,” Smith said. “And we were ready. Once you hit that first shot you know, it just gets easier. The rim just starts to look like an ocean.”
Portland shrank the lead with just over 5 minutes left in the half, but the Bulldogs responded with a 19-3 run, and Gonzaga led 61-28 at half.
Drew Timme scored 18 points for Gonzaga. Strawther added 14 points and seven rebounds, Nolan Hickman had 13 points and Anton Watson and Ben Gregg each added 12. Ten players scored for the Bulldogs, who have now won 11 straight going back to the thriller they lost to the 3rd ranked Baylor Bears.
After the successful home-stand, the Zags travel to Saint Mary’s on February 4th, which is always a tough game. That is their toughest one left on the schedule
