No. 11 Gonzaga Dominates USF 80-59 at Chase Center, Extends Winning Streak to 35 Games
Graham Ike scored 22 points to lead No. 11 Gonzaga to an 80-59 victory over the University of San Francisco at Chase Center on Wednesday night, extending the Bulldogs' remarkable winning streak against the Dons to 35 consecutive games.
Graham Ike scored 22 points to lead No. 11 Gonzaga to an 80-59 victory over the University of San Francisco at Chase Center on Wednesday night, extending the Bulldogs’ remarkable winning streak against the Dons to 35 consecutive games.
The victory, played at the home of the Golden State Warriors, strengthened Gonzaga’s position atop the West Coast Conference standings with a 14-1 league record and 26-2 overall mark, according to game statistics. The Bulldogs now hold a one-game lead over Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara in the conference race.
Ike’s performance marked his eighth consecutive game scoring 20 or more points, tying a school record shared by Adam Morrison and Derek Raivio, both achieved in 2006, according to team records. The forward, who leads the WCC in scoring, struggled with his shot for most of the evening but managed to score nine points in the final five minutes to maintain his streak.
“Ike, the reigning WCC player of the week, sputtered with his shot most of the night and had to score nine points over the final five minutes to keep his streak going,” according to game reports.
Mario Saint-Supery contributed 14 points and six assists for the Bulldogs, while Emmanuel Innocenti added 12 points and eight rebounds. Jalen Warely chipped in 11 points in the balanced scoring attack.
For San Francisco (15-14, 7-9 WCC), Tyrone Riley IV led the way with 16 points in what marked the final regular-season meeting between these programs before Gonzaga departs for the revamped Pac-12 next season.
The Bulldogs’ dominance over USF dates back to 2012, with Wednesday’s win marking their 35th straight victory in the series. This overwhelming streak highlights Gonzaga’s sustained excellence in conference play over more than a decade.
Both teams struggled offensively in the early going. San Francisco missed 11 of its first 15 shots and committed seven turnovers in the opening 10 minutes, yet managed to hold a 17-14 advantage due to strong rebounding and defensive play.
Gonzaga faced its own offensive challenges, going scoreless for a five-minute stretch late in the first half. Freshman guard Davis Fogle broke the drought and sparked a crucial run for the Bulldogs. Fogle scored five points during the surge, including an emphatic dunk that resulted in a three-point play, helping Gonzaga build momentum.
The Bulldogs used that late first-half run to seize control, taking a 41-29 lead into halftime. The 12-point advantage at the break proved to be the foundation for their eventual 21-point victory margin.
The game’s venue added significance to the matchup, as Chase Center provided a neutral-site atmosphere in San Francisco’s backyard. Despite playing in their home city, the Dons were unable to capitalize on the familiar surroundings against Gonzaga’s veteran squad.
With conference tournament play approaching, Gonzaga’s commanding performance reinforces their status as the WCC’s top contender. The Bulldogs’ combination of experienced leadership from players like Ike and emerging contributions from younger players like Fogle positions them well for postseason success.
For USF, the loss drops them further behind in conference standings as they work to secure favorable positioning for the WCC tournament. The Dons will need to regroup quickly as the regular season winds down and tournament implications become increasingly important.
The victory maintains Gonzaga’s pursuit of another WCC regular-season title while serving as a statement win in their final season in the conference before the transition to Pac-12 competition.