Gonzaga Beats Oklahoma, Stays Perfect, Advances to Sweet Sixteen
A balanced Gonzaga Bulldog attack, led by super sophomore Drew Timme, powered the number one team in the country, and the number one seed overall in the NCAA tournament, to a 87-71 win over the Oklahoma Sooners, punching their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen for the sixth consecutive tournament.
Gonzaga goes to the 2021 Sweet Sixteen with the dream of becoming the first team since 1976 to complete an undefeated season, cutting down the nets and raising the championship hardware.
Drew Timme had 14 points and Joel Ayayi chipped in 10 first half points as they led the way early for Gonzaga, staking them to a 12 point halftime lead, 46-34.
Oklahoma came out strong in the opening minutes of the first half, posting an early lead in the contest before the Zags found their rhythm. Gonzaga shot 56.7% from the field in the first half.
Corey Kispert had an off game by the senior's standards, but again, today it was the Drew Timme show and the balanced cast of Zags that brought forth victory.
The second half was a back and forth affair until near the end when the Zags simply imposed their will just enough to survive and advance. The Zags were a perfect 11-11 at the free throw line until their first miss in the second half. The Zags' biggest lead of the day was 19 points.
I'm not sure why Oklahoma decided to go for an alley oop dunk on a 2-on-1 break down just ten points with a chance to cut the deficit to single digits, but that play, banking on a power flush and a huge Sooner momentum swing, ultimately turned out to be just a bad decision as that turnover was a huge, wasted opportunity. Oklahoma could not get closer than 8 points again. Final score: Gonzaga 87 Oklahoma 71.
Gonzaga is now 28-0.