No. 9 Gonzaga takes down SELA

Spokane, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - Kyle Wiltjer totaled a game-high 20 points as No. 9 Gonzaga claimed a 76-57 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in the first-ever meeting between the schools from McCarthey Center.

Domantas Sabonis had 14 points and Kevin Pangos added 12 for the Bulldogs (7-0), who head to Arizona on Saturday.

Joshua Fillmore picked up 14 points while DeVonte Upson and Zay Jackson added 12 points each for the Lions (2-6). Andrew Guillory totaled 10 with three assists in the setback and Upson had a team-high eight rebounds.

The Bulldogs came out firing in the second half, taking a lead they did not relinquish on Gary Bell's trey on the first possession.

It was a 48-37 advantage inside of five minutes elapsed after Przemek Karnowski converted a layup, and the bulge reached 25 points, 62-37, after Sabonis hit from close range to cap another extended run.

A Daniel Grieves bucket pulled the Lions within 64-48 with 3:13 to play, before Gonzaga readjusted and kept SELA at bay for the remainder.

"We were frustrated to say the least," Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said of the slow start. "But we settled down and played a really efficient second half."

Dylon Maggio's triple staked the visitors to their biggest lead of the contest, 19-11, just shy of the nine-minute mark of the contest.

Gonzaga chipped away for the remainder of the half, drawing within 29-28 on an Upson slam, and though SELA's edge crept back up to five, the hosts drew within 33-32 at the break.

Game Notes

Gonzaga connected on just 9-of-24 attempts from long distance but made all seven free-throw attempts ... Karnowski led the Bulldogs with nine rebounds ... The hosts scored 21 points off 13 Lions turnovers and only allowed eight points on their seven miscues.