SPOKANE, Wash. – The No. 3/4 Gonzaga men's basketball team eased to a season-opening 108-69 exhibition win over Central Washington in the McCarthey Athletic Center Thursday.
The Zags made 54.7 percent of their shots from the field, while limiting CWU to 33.8 percent. GU was 9-of-20 (45 percent) from behind-the-arc, and the Wildcats were 8-for-28 (28.6 percent).
Six Bulldogs finished in double-digit scoring led by
Rui Hachimura's 23 points. The junior was 7-of-15 from the field and made all eight of his free-throw attempts.
Brandon Clarke added 18 points and 11 rebounds in his debut in a Gonzaga uniform.
Zach Norvell Jr. scored 14 points,
Josh Perkins had 12, and
Corey Kispert and
Jeremy Jones both chipped in 10.
Geno Crandall dished out a game-high four assists for the Zags, with no turnovers, and three steals. GU finished with 18 assists. The Bulldogs forced Central Washington into 14 turnovers.
Gonzaga jumped out to an 18-3 lead through the first four minutes of the game. The Zags closed the first half on a 10-0 run and led 49-23 at halftime. A pair of Hachimura free-throws stretched the margin to 63-31 at the 16:53 mark of the second half. GU's largest lead was 90-50 with 8:37 to play.
Jackson Price paced Central Washington with 12 points. Matt Poquette and Jeryn Lucas scored 11 and 10 respectively.
The Zags open their regular season schedule at home against Idaho State Tuesday at 6 p.m.
