SPOKANE, Wash. — Less than 48 hours after No. 16 Gonzaga was upset by unranked Oregon State in what Ryan Nembhard called one of their “worst defensive performances of the year,” the Bulldogs return home to host Santa Clara, looking for a much-needed bounce-back win and confidence booster.
Before the game, Gonzaga legend and three-time NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis will be honored, with his jersey displayed in The Kennel. He will become just the sixth player in program history to receive such an honor.
In the 97-89 overtime loss to the Beavers, every Gonzaga starter scored in double digits, led by Graham Ike with 26 points, but the Bulldogs struggled to get stops throughout the game. GU held a late lead, but it didn’t last. After Ike hit a 3-pointer to force overtime, the Beavers dominated the extra period, outscoring the Bulldogs 14-6…