No. 6 Gonzaga goes down as profitable streak ends with shocking loss to Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — There wasn’t one particular factor coach Mark Few may level to in making an attempt to clarify Gonzaga’s struggles towards Portland.

All of it went incorrect.

“Simply outplayed us, outexecuted us, outshot us,” Few mentioned. “After they received open photographs, they made them. And we did not. Actually each part of the sport.”

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Sixth-ranked Gonzaga misplaced 87-80 to the Pilots on Wednesday night time, snapping a 15-game profitable streak.

Favored by 21 1/2 factors in keeping with BetMGM Sportsbook, the Bulldogs (22-2, 10-1 West Coast Convention) had gained 20 straight towards Portland — and 19 of these have been by double digits. The Pilots’ earlier victory over the Zags got here on Jan. 9, 2014, an 82-73 win in Portland. Gonzaga was ranked No. 18 in that sport.

The Pilots had by no means defeated a staff within the high 10. That win over the Bulldogs in 2014 was their final victory towards a ranked opponent.

Portland led by as many as 15 factors, however Gonzaga closed the hole within the ultimate two minutes, coming as shut as 84-80 with 30 seconds left. Portland, using each its personal momentum and the cheers of its residence crowd, held on for the win and the followers rushed the court docket.

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“I feel when you might have a program like ours, and we’re having a season like we’re having, I feel you at all times really feel like you have to reply — however then you have to reply. You’ll be able to’t be speaking about it,” Few mentioned concerning the expectation that Gonzaga would finally pull out the win. “You have to bear down and get stops on protection.”

Graham Ike had 24 factors and 10 rebounds for the Zags. The 6-foot-9 ahead was coming off a 30-point efficiency in a win towards rival Saint Mary’s at residence on Saturday and had earned his fourth WCC participant of the week award. Earlier than that, he missed three video games with a sore proper ankle.

“That they had extra effort, extra vitality than us tonight,” Ike mentioned. “Kudos to them, however we have to flush it. … Obtained to be higher.”

The Bulldogs are nonetheless with out ahead Braden Huff due to a knee harm.

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Gonzaga’s solely different loss this season got here in December to then-No. 7 Michigan, 101-61, on the Gamers Period Championship in Las Vegas.

The Pilots (11-14, 4-8) have been coming off a 104-74 loss at Washington State and a 74-51 loss at Pacific earlier than that. So it is no surprise they have been heavy underdogs to Gonzaga.

“Every thing has to occur proper in a sport like that,” Portland coach Shantay Legans mentioned. “They must miss some key photographs and a few key free throws. And our guys performed with loads of confidence and saved their cool and saved their composure. And I feel it helped taking part in at residence. We have been fairly good at residence. However each sport we have been in, we have had a turnover right here, or one thing like that. Tonight, all of it got here collectively.”

Joel Foxwell led Portland with 27 factors and eight assists. The Pilots hit 59% of their photographs from the sphere, in comparison with 40% for the Zags.

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Gonzaga will look to rebound Saturday towards Oregon State, a staff the Bulldogs will be a part of subsequent season within the rebuilt Pac-12 Convention.

Stated Ike: “I can promise it will not occur once more.”

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