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The score was 54-52 when the final buzzer sounded. Only moments before, the Gonzaga Bulldogs withstood a 30 foot 3-pointer and an offensive putback. Sean Mallon finally secured the rebound and it was game, set, match: Zags.
After humiliating scoring performances against Idaho and Oklahoma State, Mark Few knew WSU was a bomb waiting to go off. 8100 fans showed up for the game, no doubt thinking (or hoping for) the same thing.
Another slow Zag start saw the Cougs take an early 10 point lead at 13-3. With good 3-point shooting, many at NBA range, and a solid mid-range game from Coug post players, Gonzaga could not catch WSU until the second half, after trailing by two at intermission.
It was a physical contest that saw Ronny Turiaf sprain an ankle and Nathan Doudney injure a knee. But Ronny would still be high-scorer with 17 with Adam Morrison adding 12. Mallon pulled down 10 rebounds. The starting Zag guards only added 11 points combined as Derek Raivio's shot missed the mark all but twice and Pierre-Marie Altidor-Cespedes concentrated on defense.
But it was Raivio's second trey that gave the Zags the lead for good. And P-MAC played outstanding and earned GU Nation's Player of the Game.
This marks the sixth straight win for Gonzaga over Washington State, and after beating Washington last week, leaves Gonzaga a win over EWU for another sweep of the state.
The Bulldogs next play St. Louis University in McCarthey Athletic Center at 6pm Saturday, December 11, Gonzaga's final home game until January 13.