Graham Ike scores 22 points, No. 15 Gonzaga rebounds with 100-76 win over Jackson State
Gonzaga forward Graham Ike (13) shoots while pressured by Jackson State forward Jordan O'Neal (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Spokane, Wash. Credit: AP/Young Kwak
SPOKANE, Wash. — Graham Ike scored 22 points in 17 minutes, Braden Huff added 17 points off the bench, and No. 15 Gonzaga ran away in the second half for a 100-76 win over Jackson State on Wednesday night.
The Zags (9-3) rebounded from their loss to No. 5 UConn last Friday and picked up a resounding victory in their last game before Christmas.
“We put a lot into that UConn game. I was really happy with our guys’ effort,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “I'm telling you, I think Jackson State will win their league. They’ve got some guys who are older. They’ve got a great plan. … They had our full attention.”
Ike and Huff were part of a dominant effort on the interior. Gonzaga scored 50 points in the paint and shot 52% as a team.
Nolan Hickman scored 18 points and Ryan Nembhard added 11 points and six assists. Anton Watson finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, and moved into second place on the school’s all-time steals list, trailing only John Stockton.
“I just pride myself a lot on defense so I’m proud of that. That’s not a record I was trying to chase. It was just something that happens with how I play,” Watson said.
The Bulldogs led 41-29 at halftime and started the second half on a 10-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Dusty Stromer. The Zags led by as many as 37 in the second half and improved to 19-0 all-time against current SWAC opponents.
Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Jackson State, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Spokane, Wash. Credit: AP/Young Kwak
Ike made 6 of 8 shots and was 10 of 14 at the foul line. The Zags made a season-high 27 free throws.
“We just stayed confident in the work that we do and in the preparation, and we come out and do things like this tonight,” Ike said.
Ken Evans Jr. led Jackson State (4-8) with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Chase Adams added 14 and Coltie Young had 13 points. The Tigers have yet to play a game at home this season and the matchup with the Zags added to a brutal non-conference schedule that included a win at Missouri and losses to Memphis, Georgetown and Houston.
Jordan O’Neal, the second-leading scorer for the Tigers, finished with seven points on 1 of 8 shooting and fouled out with 13:50 left after picking up a personal foul and technical foul on the same play. O’Neal was averaging 11.9 points and shooting 69% coming into the game.
Gonzaga forward Braden Huff dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Jackson State, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Spokane, Wash. Credit: AP/Young Kwak
BIG PICTURE
Jackson State: The Tigers will have played 13 games away from home before their first home game on Jan. 6 against Alcorn State.
Gonzaga: The Zags still aren’t shooting great from the perimeter. Gonzaga was 5 of 18 on 3-pointers after making 2 of 12 in the loss to UConn.
UP NEXT
Jackson State: The Tigers play their final non-conference game on Dec. 29 at Northwestern.
Gonzaga: The Zags host San Diego State on Dec. 29.
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