Kevin Pangos/thestar.comBy Paul Seaver (TheArenaPulse) This post is part of The Arena Pulse's Player of the Night feature.
Each morning throughout the 2011-12 season, The Arena Pulse will select and name its "Player of the Night" from the previous evening's action.
The clock struck Midnight late on Monday night, transitioning things into Tuesday on the East Coast. A 9:00pm west coast tip from Spokane, Washington began ESPN's 24-Hour College Basketball coverage.
For those on the east coast, the game technically began on Tuesday, making it eligible for the Player of the Night race on Nov. 15. Washington State made a great run late in the second half to start the 24-Hour marathon with a bang, but a Gonzaga freshman was crucial in helping hold off the Cougars' comeback attempt.
The winner of The Arena Pulse's Player of the Night (11/15):
Name: Kevin Pangos
School: Gonzaga
Class: Freshman
Position: Guard
Stat Line: 33 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds
Gonzaga guard Kevin Pangos became the first freshman to win the Player of the Night this season, spurring a Gonzaga win over in-state rival Washington State.
While head coach Mark Few looks to returnees Elias Harris and Robert Sacre for stability, the nation got an early glimpse into the future of the Bulldogs' program.
Pangos, a native of Canada, began the college basketball marathon with a bang, converting on nine 3-pointers, while also recording a perfect evening at the free throw line (6-of-6).
The 6-foot-1 freshman guard had a game-high 33 points, shooting 9-of-16 overall from the field. His nine 3-pointers tied a school-record that had previously been held solely by Dan Dickau.
In just his second career game, Pangos went off, at times carrying the Bulldogs with timely scores from distance. Washington State's late comeback attempt was ultimately halted by Pangos' hot shooting, as the Bulldogs were able to build a comfortable second half lead on various occasions.
Fellow freshman Gary Bell Jr. came off the bench to score 14 points, adding even more proof of the danger this Gonzaga squad can present in 2011-12.
Gonzaga defeated Washington State 89-81, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The Bulldogs (2-0) will travel to Vancouver, British Columbia for a Saturday contest with Hawaii (1-0). The game is set to tip at 9:00pm EST. Hawaii was also a winner as part of ESPN's 24-Hour coverage, knocking off Cal-State Northbridge in convincing fashion at home.
Honorable Mention: J'Covan Brown (Texas)- 35 points (career-high), 6 assists, 6 rebounds.
*Photo: Kevin Pangos *Credit: thestar.com
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Original Story:
http://www.thearenapulse.com/2011/11/...
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November 15, 2011
