SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga cruised to a 98-60 win over Oregon State inside the McCarthey Athletic Center Tuesday. The Bulldogs avenged an overtime loss to the Beavers in Corvallis on Jan. 16, with the blowout victory.
 
After falling in back-to-back games by a combined 12 points, the Zags (16-6, 7-2 West Coast Conference) have won their last two games by 43 points and 38 points.
 
Khalif Battle scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the first half to lead GU over Oregon State. He was 4-of-5 from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. The senior entered the game 10^th in the nation in free-throw percentage and made 12-of-13 from the line against OSU (16-7, 6-4 WCC).
 
Graham Ike added 22 points and was 10-of-12 from the field. Nolan Hickman made four of his six three-pointers and finished with 16 points. Michael Ajayi had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. The country's leader in assists, Ryan Nembhard, dished out nine assists to one turnover in 26 minutes. The Bulldogs entered the game first in the nation in assists averaging 19.9 per game, they finished with 19 against Oregon State.
 
The Zags finished 55 percent from the field, including 9-of-17 from behind-the-arc. GU was also 23-for-27 from the free-throw line. The Bulldogs outscored Oregon State 48-15 in bench points, 40-28 in the paint, and 22-7 in second chance points. Gonzaga turned 13 OSU turnovers into 23-4 points off turnovers advantage.
 
Gonzaga never trailed in the game, closing the first half on a 16-3 run and leading 50-30 at halftime. The Zags' largest lead was 40 with 1:57 remaining in regulation.
 
Michael Rataj led the Beavers with 15 points. Nate Kingz and Demarco Minor chipped in 11 and 10 points. After shooting 58.5 percent from the field in the first meeting this season, OSU was limited to 38.2 percent Tuesday.
 
Up next
The Bulldogs head to conference leader Saint Mary's (18-3, 8-0) Saturday for an 8 p.m. tipoff. SMC is at Santa Clara (14-8, 6-3) Wednesday at 6 p.m.