Gonzaga ousts No. 4 seed Kansas in 89-68 drubbing

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd March, 17:48 2024

Mar 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Ben Gregg (33) and guard Ryan Nembhard (0) celebrate during the second half in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Kansas Jayhawks at Vivint Smart Home Arena-Delta Center. credits: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Anton Watson scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting and Gonzaga delivered a massive second-half knockout punch in routing Kansas 89-68 on Saturday in Midwest Region second-round action at Salt Lake City.

Nolan Hickman had 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting as the fifth-seeded Bulldogs (27-7) reached their ninth consecutive Sweet 16. Gonzaga blew the game open with a 32-4 burst over a 12-plus minute stretch of the second half.

Ben Gregg hit all six shots while posting 15 points and nine rebounds for the Zags. Graham Ike also had 15 points and nine boards while making 7 of 11 shots and Braden Huff had 11 points off the bench as Gonzaga won for the 11th time in the past 12 games.

Hunter Dickinson scored 15 points and KJ Adams Jr. and Dajuan Harris Jr. added 10 points apiece for the fourth-seeded Jayhawks (23-11). Kansas again played without All-American Kevin McCullar Jr. (knee).

Gonzaga will face either No. 1 Purdue or No. 8 Utah State in the Sweet 16.

The Jayhawks lost for the fifth time in seven games and were eliminated in the second round of March Madness for the third time in the past four seasons.

Ryan Nembhard recorded 12 assists for the Bulldogs, who shot 60.3 percent from the field and were 8 of 15 from behind the arc.

Kansas shot 38.6 percent from the field and made 9 of 22 from 3-point range.

Kansas led 49-48 after a basket by Adams with 18:26 remaining in the game before the Zags exploded and made 14 of their next 17 field-goal attempts.

Ike scored six points during a 15-0 burst that saw Gonzaga hold a 63-49 advantage with 14:11 remaining. Gregg and Dusty Stromer made consecutive 3-pointers a bit later to make it 74-53 with 9:27 left.

Watson scored the final four points to cap the 32-4 run as the Bulldogs' lead stretched to 80-53 with 6:28 to go. Gonzaga cruised to the finish while improving to 2-1 all-time against the Jayhawks.

Dickinson scored 13 first-half points to help Kansas lead 44-43 at intermission. Huff had 11 points in the half for the Bulldogs.

Kansas scored 22 of 32 points at one point to hold a 22-16 lead after Adams' basket with 12:55 left in the half. Gonzaga responded with a 15-4 run to take a 31-26 advantage with 6:08 remaining.

—Field Level Media