Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
Great Escape: Gonzaga struggles, but pulls out 64-58 win over Southern
SALT LAKE CITY – A March Madness warm-up turned into a great escape for Gonzaga.
The Zags got pushed to the limit by Southern on Thursday, pulling out a 64-58 victory in the closing minutes to avoid becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a 16 in the NCAA tournament.
Kelly Olynyk of Kamloops, B.C., led the Zags (32-2) with 21 points. They play No. 9 Wichita State on Saturday.
But it was a pair of three-pointers — one by Gary Bell Jr., the next by Kevin Pagnos — that staked the Bulldogs to a 62-58 lead only moments after the game was tied at 56 with 3:45 left.
Pangos, from Newmarket, Ont., finished with 16 points and five assists, going 4-for-9 from three-point range.
Derick Beltran had 21 points to lead Southern (23-10) and his 14-foot baseline jumper tied it at 56. But the Jaguars from the Southwestern Athletic Conference didn’t make another field goal.
No. 1 seeds are now 113-0 against 16s.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
