SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Drew Timme scored 32 points and Andrew Nembhard had 19 as No. 2 Gonzaga routed Santa Clara 115-83 on Saturday for its 24th consecutive West Coast Conference victory.
The Bulldogs (14-2, 3-0 WCC), who lead the nation in both scoring and field goal percentage, eclipsed the century mark for the third consecutive game and shot 58.7% from the field (44 for 75) against the Broncos (11-6, 1-1).
Timme, a consensus preseason All-American, was 14 for 18 shooting, added eight rebounds, and had his way inside. The 6-foot-10 junior came out of the game with 8:48 remaining. Seven-foot freshman Chet Holmgren, expected to be a top pick in this year’s NBA draft, had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Jalen Williams had 17 points to lead Santa Clara, but the WCC’s leading scorer connected on just 6 of 16 shots.
The Broncos entered the day ranked 15th nationally in field goal percentage (49.1%), but they were held to just 39.7% shooting as the Bulldogs did not allow anything easy inside.
Timme had 21 points on 10-for-12 shooting by halftime, helping the Bulldogs to a comfortable 60-41 lead.
Gonzaga hurt Santa Clara with its size and terrific interior passing that set up easy baskets. The Bulldogs hit 24 of 37 shots (64.9%) in the first half.
At the other end, Gonzaga didn’t give up anything easy around the basket. Williams had 12 points for Santa Clara in the first half but was just 4 for 12 from the field.
BIG PICTURE
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs got out to a fast start and did not let the home team, or its fans, build up any hopes for an upset.
Santa Clara: The Broncos did not have the size inside to match up with Gonzaga and is usually a much better 3-point shooting team. They hit just 8 of 26 shots from beyond the arc.
UP NEXT
Gonzaga: Plays Thursday at Pacific, having never lost to the Tigers during coach Mark Few’s tenure.
Santa Clara: Plays Thursday at Saint Mary’s, a team the Broncos beat by two points on the road last season.
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