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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.
Unprompted, Ike even cited his “personal rivalry” with San Diego State during recent interviews at joint West Coast Conference/Mountain West Conference Media Day.
So, one might imagine the forward wasn’t exactly brimming with optimism 75 seconds into his sixth — and likely last — career meeting with San Diego State.
The forward was whistled for a rebounding foul on SDSU’s first offensive possession and his second foul came in quick succession, sending Ike to Gonzaga’s bench after less than two minutes of action at Viejas Arena.
Ike’s foul trouble didn’t necessarily set Gonzaga back — the Bulldogs still 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 country’s third-ranked team to an impressive 80-67 win on the road.
Ike probably 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 trying to contest. Ike finished the and-one play at the free throw line, then proceeded to torch the Aztecs for roughly nine more minutes, converting baskets or drawing fouls just about every time he went up to shoot.
In total, the senior forward finished 7 of 9 from the field and 9 of 11 from the free throw line while matching SDSU’s Nick Boyd for a game-high nine rebounds.
Gonzaga point guard Ryan Nembhard had another sensational stat line, posting a double-double of 19 points and 10 assists to go with four rebounds. Braden Huff had 10 points off the bench — most of those coming during Ike’s absence in the first half — while Ben Gregg and Michael Ajayi had seven apiece.
Gonzaga improved to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/recap-highlights-ryan-nembhard-graham-045900135.html
Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Publish date : 2024-11-19 04:59:00
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