Graham Ike delivers in big way, scoring 20 of 23 points in second half to help Gonzaga handle SDSU 80-67

Nov. 18—SAN DIEGO — Graham Ike’s five previous games against San Diego State all culminated in defeat — four losses to the Aztecs during a three-year stint at Wyoming, followed by a double-digit loss to Brian Dutcher’s team last season at Gonzaga.

Ike cited his “personal rivalry” with San Diego State during recent interviews at the joint West Coast Conference/Mountain West Conference Media Day.

With that history in mind, one could jump to the easy conclusion that the forward wasn’t brimming with optimism 75 seconds into his sixth encounter with San Diego State on Monday evening.

The forward was whistled for a rebounding foul on SDSU’s first offensive possession. A second foul arrived roughly 40 seconds later, followed by a frustrating walk to Gonzaga’s bench.

Ike’s early foul trouble didn’t set Gonzaga back — his teammates largely controlled the first half, entering the break with a nine-point lead — and the forward was nothing but an asset for his team in the second half, scoring 20 of his season-high 23 points in the final frame to lead the third-ranked Bulldogs to an impressive 80-67 win at Viejas Arena.

“I remember my last time I was in here, I got blew out by 20 twice, back -to -back games playing baseball schedules during COVID,” Ike said. “So that’s definitely been on my mind since I saw this game on the schedule and it just feels great.”

Considering how things started, Ike couldn’t have scripted a better start to the second half, dropping in a layup over SDSU 7-footer Magoon Gwath, who picked up his third foul while trying to contest. Ike calmly finished the and-one play at the free -throw line, then proceeded to throw haymaker after haymaker, converting at the rim or drawing fouls whenever he looked to shoot.

Gonzaga saw the best version of Ike — the one it got so accustomed to seeing by the end of his junior season — for the final 20 minutes and the Bulldogs never allowed SDSU to pull within two possessions, leading by as many as 16 points in their first…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/graham-ike-delivers-big-way-045900358.html

Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

Publish date : 2024-11-19 04:59:00

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