SPOKANE, Wash. — Braden Huff scored 25 points,
Anton Watson added 20 and Gonzaga beat Portland 96-64 on Wednesday night.
The Zags (17-6, 8-2 West Coast Conference) made a season-high 15 three-pointers on 33 attempts (45.5 percent) in the win. GU finished 55.9 percent from the field, while holding the Pilots to 35.9 percent.
Huff also had seven rebounds for the Bulldogs. Watson was 9 for 11 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and grabbed five rebounds.
Nolan Hickman had 12 points and shot 4 for 7, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc.
Ryan Nembhard had 10 points and a game-high six assists with no turnovers.
The Pilots (9-16, 3-7 WCC) were led by Juan Sebastian Gorosito, who posted 13 points. Bol Dengdit added 12 points and eight rebounds for Portland. Vukasin Masic also put up 12 points and five assists.
Gonzaga jumped out to a 19-1 lead and made six of its first eight threes. The score was 50-23 at halftime, with Watson racking up 14 points. GU extended its lead to 37 points with 5:48 left in regulation. Huff scored a team-high 14 points in the second half.
The Zags outrebounded Portland 43-29. Gonzaga finished with 21 assists on 38 made field goals.
The Bulldogs make their first ever trip to Rupp Arena for a matchup against No. 17 Kentucky (16-6, 6-4 SEC) Saturday. It will be the third matchup between the programs after the Zags beat the Wildcats last season in the Spokane Arena 88-72.