No. 9 Gonzaga takes down SELA
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.