WICHITA, Kan. – A 27-3 start is a nightmare for any Georgia team, conversely a dream start for Gonzaga in their first-round win over the Bulldogs, 89-68.
The Zags had suffocating defense and electric offense, holding the No. 9 seeded Georgia Bulldogs to 1-11 from three in the first half and allowing just three points in the first eight minutes of the game.
Four of five Zag starters scored double digits, including 24 from Khalif Battle, shooting 9-13 from the field in his March Madness debut. Braden Huff built off his career performance in the WCC title game, today scoring 18 and collecting eight rebounds.
This victory marks the 16th-consecutive tournament with a first-round win, and this is the largest Gonzaga win over any No. 9 seed in NCAA Tournament history.
Gonzaga advances to play No. 1 seed Houston, who beat No. 16 seed SIU Edwardsville today 78-40.
Tip-off in Wichita is Saturday at an undetermined time.
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