Broncos Cough Up First Half Advantage in Loss to Loyola Marymount by Eric He

In another second half thriller, the Gaels were able to cut a once 20 point Gonzaga lead to one with 13.1 seconds left in the game. Olynyk hit two free throws for the Bulldogs to make the score 81-78, the Gaels had a chance to tie with a three-point shot, but Dellavedova missed. Pangos was fouled and made two free throws sealing the victory for the Zags.

The Gaels suffered a tough loss 83-78. The Zags move to 16-1 overall and 3-0 in the WCC. SMC drops to 1-1 in WCC play and 12-4 overall.

The Gaels were off to a slow start for the second time in three games. During the first half poor shooting and an inability to stop both Pangos and Olynyk set the stage for an 18 point 46-28 half time trail.

In the first half, off the bench, Levesque scored seven quick points for the Gaels but got into early foul trouble with three fouls and sat out much of the half.

With a three point shot Dellavedova was able to narrow the Bulldogs’ lead to 35-27. After the Dellavedova 3-pointer, Gonzaga went on an 11-1 run to end the half.

Dellavedova went 2-8 in the first half. St. Marys overall shot 9-29 from the floor while Gonzaga shot 20-35. From three point land, the Gaels went 4-12 and Gonzaga went 2-7. Gonzaga outscored the Gaels 30-10 in the paint. Olynyk shot 8-10 and set pace for the Zags.

In the second half, Steven Holt led the comeback charge and scored 15 points. With 10:42 remaining in the game, the Gaels were on a 19-5 run cutting the Zags lead to 59-53.

If was a difficult night for the Gaels from the free throw line; they shot just 15-23, 65.2%. Gonzaga was 15-18, 83.3%.

The Gaels were better on the boards, out-rebounding the Zags 34-23. Their bench outscored the Zags; bench 22-14.

The Gaels were led by Steven Holt with 23 points and Bo Levesque with 14. Gonzaga was led by Kelly Olynyk with 31 points which is his second straight 30 plus game and Kevin Pangos with 22 points.

The Gaels return to action at home Sat night against cross bay rival USF at 8:00pm.