December 21, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Graham Ike (13) shoots the ball against Bucknell Bison forward Pip Ajayi (23) in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory credit: James Snook-Imagn Images Graham Ike scored 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds as the No. 13 Gonzaga defeated Bucknell 86-65 Saturday night in a non-conference game in Spokane, Wash.
Ben Gregg came off the bench to score 15 points for the Bulldogs (9-3) and Nolan Hickman had 14, with those two players combining for seven 3-pointers. Point guard Ryan Nembhard added nine points, nine assists and six rebounds.
Noah Williamson scored 16 points and Josh Bascoe added 14 for the Bison (4-8), who lost their sixth straight. Jayden Williams scored 10 points.
Gonzaga shot 47.9 percent from the field (34 of 71) and was 12 of 35 (34.3 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc. Bucknell shot 40.7 percent (24 of 59) and 10 of 31 (32.3 percent) from long range.
The Bulldogs held a 41-34 rebounding advantage and outscored Bucknell 38-20 in the paint. Gonzaga committed 19 turnovers, outscoring the Bison 24-14 on free throws.
Ike scored Gonzaga’s first nine points, a 3-pointer, as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 9-3 lead. With Ike catching a breather on the bench, the Bison responded with a 9-0 run to take the lead, with Williamson making three straight layups.
Gregg hit a 3-pointer with 12:31 left in the half, Gonzaga’s first basket by someone other than Ike, to pull even with the Bulldogs. A second Gregg 3-pointer with 11:20 left in the half off the layup put the Zags up 15-14 and they never trailed again.
Khalif Battle’s free throw with 5:07 left in the half gave the Bulldogs their first double-digit lead.
Elvin Edmonds IV’s 3-pointer pulled the Bison within 38-27 entering halftime, but Gonzaga scored the first nine points after the break to pull away.
Each team has one game remaining before conference play begins. The Bulldogs will face UCLA on Dec. 28 in the West Coast Hoops Showdown at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The Bison play at Syracuse on Dec. 28.
–Within field level
