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Gonzaga Basketball: The Zags Lose to UCLA in Devastating Fashion, Fall to 9-4

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Matthew Brzezinski | Last updated Dec 29, 2024 12:11 PM ET

The Gonzaga Bulldogs have lost yet another close contest in brutal fashion against a blue-chip opponent, falling to the UCLA Bruins 65-62.

Gonzaga Made Several Key Mistakes Down the Stretch, Including Two Veteran Point Guard Ryan Nembhard

Less than two weeks removed from blowing a large second half lead to the Kentucky Wildcats in Seattle and failing to close the distance between the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden, the Zags once again find themselves wishing they had done more.

Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike registered monster second halves. Graham Ike was particularly dominant, tallying 24 points and 8 boards. Throughout the game, he battled with UCLA’s top scorer, Tyler Bilodeau, who was held to just 7 points, well under his average of 15.1.

As fantastic as point guard Ryan Nembhard was, particularly in the second half, where Gonzaga took the lead with around 12 minutes to play after being down 11 in the first half, the last possessions of the game left much to be desired. After being inexplicably fouled by UCLA guard Sebastian Mack during a layup attempt, Nembhard was sent to the stripe with a chance to tie the game. With a free-throw percentage better then 86%, there are not many players Gonzaga would rather have at the line in a critical situation. However, the senior guard failed to convert, and two free throws by Bruins guard Skyy Clark restored a three point lead.

On the following inbounds, Nembhard hoisted a half-court shot despite having almost four full seconds on the clock. With the shot well wide, UCLA secured the final rebound as the buzzer sounded.

Gonzaga Will Be Looking For Answers After Another Blown Second Half Lead

Gonzaga’s depth was tested throughout. Guard Khalif Battle was ejected in the first half following a flagrant two foul on UCLA’s Eric Dailey Jr. Starting guard Michael Ajayi was largely ineffective and played sparingly in the second half. Thus, as the game went down to the wire, sophomores Dusty Stromer and Emmanuel Innocenti were called upon for some big minutes.

PERFECT THREE FOR INNOCENTI pic.twitter.com/f8xafns8as

— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) December 28, 2024

Although Innocenti made a three-pointer shortly after checking in, making Gonzaga’s lead 49-45, he was called for a tough foul that allowed Sebastian Mack to convert an and-one attempt with 33 seconds remaining that would give UCLA the lead for good. Leading up to the decisive bucket, UCLA routinely cleared out the left side of the floor to isolate Mack on Stromer, who was relentlessly attacked despite Mack’s largely ineffective performance leading up to the closing stages. Stromer also missed a critical three-pointer that would have tied the game with 17 seconds left after Ben Gregg drove baseline and kicked it out to him in the left corner.

Some fans are pointing to the divisive foul call on Innocenti in the final minute of the game. However, ultimately, there are many other reasons for the defeat. One significant development was the lack of Nembhard-Ike pick-and-roll down the stretch. Even as the action was so effective throughout the early second half, Gonzaga sparingly ran their bread and butter play throughout the last nine minutes of the game.

Overall, Gonzaga’s top-ranked offense i was not good enough against one of the nation’s best defenses. The aforementioned Ajayi and Stromer, who combine for 13 points on average, were both scoreless on 0-4 shooting. To make matters even worse, the Bulldogs’ trio of double figure scorers off the bench, Ben Gregg, Nolan Hickman, and Braden Huff, only amassed 14 total points, a far cry from their usual production.

Once again, key details at the end of the game resulted in Gonzaga failing to convert an advantageous situation against a ranked opponent. The Zags will now enter WCC conference play feeling dissatisfied. Despite the frustrations, it will be a quick turnaround for Mark Few’s bunch, as they face Pepperdine on Monday.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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