Top 25 roundup: Santa Clara ends 13-year skid vs. No. 23 Zags

Field Level Media|published: Fri 12th January, 01:30 2024

Feb 2, 2023; Spokane, Washington, USA; Santa Clara Broncos head coach Herb Sendek looks on against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. credits: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Adama-Alpha Bal converted the decisive layup with 4.6 seconds left and host Santa Clara ended a 26-game losing streak against No. 23 Gonzaga with a 77-76 victory over the Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Bal scored 17 points as Santa Clara defeated Gonzaga for the first time since Jan. 20, 2011. The Broncos (12-6, 3-0 West Coast Conference) are undefeated in league play after three games for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Anton Watson matched his career high of 32 points on 14-of-18 shooting for the Bulldogs (11-5, 2-1), who were unable to deliver coach Mark Few his 700th career victory. Watson also grabbed nine rebounds and set a career high with six steals.

Bal's driving hoop caromed off the glass and bounced on the rim four times before falling in to give Santa Clara a one-point lead. Bal was fouled on the play and missed the ensuing free throw, but Gonzaga didn't get off a final shot as Watson threw the ball directly to Bal just before time expired.

No. 10 Illinois 71, Michigan State 68

Marcus Domask, Coleman Hawkins and Ty Rodgers each scored 15 points and the Fighting Illini held off the Spartans down the stretch in Champaign, Ill.

Domask, who added six rebounds and five assists, canned both ends of a one-and-one with 25.7 seconds left to give Illinois (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten) a three-point advantage. Michigan State had two chances to force overtime, but Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard each missed long 3-pointers in the final 15 seconds.

Quincy Guerrier and Justin Harmon added 10 points each for the Fighting Illini. Walker's 17 points led four players in double figures for the Spartans (9-7, 1-4).

No. 24 Florida Atlantic 85, Tulane 84

Alijah Martin made two of three free throws with less than a second to play as the Owls edged the Green Wave in New Orleans.

After Collin Holloway's layup with 28 seconds left gave Tulane (10-5, 1-2 American Athletic Conference) an 84-83 lead to cap a 10-0 run, Martin was fouled by Jaylen Forbes on a 3-point attempt as time was set to expire. With 0.4 seconds left, Martin sank the second and third attempts from the foul line.

Nick Boyd netted 21 points for Florida Atlantic (12-4, 2-1), while Vladislav Goldin had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Forbes matched his season high with 28 points, while teammate Kevin Cross had 20 points and 11 boards.

-Field Level Media