GLENDALE, AZ – Top-seeded Gonzaga ceded a double-digit lead in the second half before regaining their composure and making enough plays down the stretch to outlast upstart South Carolina 77-73. Up three and defending with a dozen seconds to play, Mark Few entrusted his team to purposely foul Sindarius Thornwell with three and a half seconds left. The strategy paid off perfectly when–after Thornwell knocked down the first free-throw–Killian Tillie secured the critical rebound off of the missed second and subsequently drained both free throws to seal the victory.
Nigel Williams-Goss led the Bulldogs with 23 points and six assists, and freshman Zach Collins came off the Zags’ bench to score 14 points while pulling down 13 boards and blocking 6 shots.
Sophomore guard PJ Dozier paced the Gamecocks’ comeback with 17 points and 9 rebounds in the losing effort.
Kevin Kugler and Clark Kellogg called the action on Westwood One Sports.
