Gonzaga pulls away in 2nd half to beat Santa Clara 95-76

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Graham Ike scored 24 points, Khalif Battle added 21 points and Gonzaga pulled away in the second half to beat Santa Clara 95-76 on Tuesday night in a key West Coast Conference clash.

Gonzaga Bulldogs 95, Santa Clara Broncos 76: Box score

Ryan Nembhard added 12 points and matched a career high with 15 assists to pace the Zags (22-8, 13-4 WCC), who avenged a 103-99 loss to Santa Clara on Jan. 18. Nembhard, who leads the nation with 295 assists, broke the WCC single-season assists record on an alley-oop to Michael Ajayi in the first half.

Ryan Nembhard showing why he’s one of the best passers in college basketball. @ZagMBB pic.twitter.com/kF77D9cM7y

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) February 26, 2025

Nolan Hickman chipped in 11 points for Gonzaga, which trailed 42-34 late in the first half before outscoring Santa Clara 61-34 the rest of the way. Senegalese freshman center Ismaila Diagne added a season-high nine points off the bench in just his seventh career game. The Zags dominated inside, shooting 73.8% from 2-point range.

Tyeree Bryan scored 18 points on six 3-pointers to lead Santa Clara (19-11, 11-6). Carlos Stewart Jr. added 14 points for the Broncos, who made their first eight 3s and finished 11 of 25 from beyond the arc.

With the victory, Gonzaga bounced back from a loss to Saint Mary’s three nights earlier that allowed the Gaels to clinch the WCC title. The Bulldogs remain in second place in the WCC standings, sitting one-half game ahead of San Francisco. Gonzaga travels to face San Francisco in its regular-season finale on Saturday night.

that 0 & 13 connection 😮‍💨🥱 pic.twitter.com/5flRgJY6QS

— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) February 26, 2025

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