Gonzaga's dominance of USF continues with blowout win at Chase Center
· Yahoo Sports
Exactly 14 years ago Wednesday – Feb. 18, 2012 – USF got 16 points and five steals from Rashad Green to upend Gonzaga 66-65 on the Hilltop.
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The Dons haven't beaten Gonzaga since then – and they might not have a chance to do so in the foreseeable future.
On Wednesday night, the 11th-ranked Zags made it 35 consecutive wins over USF with an 80-59 decision at Chase Center.
West Coast Conference Player of the Year candidate Graham Ike went 10-for-17 from the floor en route to a game-high 22 points. Ike was one of four Gonzaga players who scored in double figures.
The Dons could face Gonzaga in the WCC tournament in Las Vegas next month, but if the teams don't meet then it's unknown when they'd see each other next. The Zags (26-2, 14-1) are joining the reconstituted Pac-12 next season.
The Dons (15-14, 7-9) have dropped six of their past eight games, a stretch that began with a 68-66 loss to the Zags in Spokane on Jan. 24. Gonzaga was without Ike and forward Braden Huff (left knee injury) in that game; Huff remains sidelined.
USF enjoyed one strong stretch Wednesday. Midway through the first half, the Dons put together an 11-0 run capped by a 3-pointer by Tyrone Riley IV. That gave USF its first lead at 17-14.
Soon thereafter, the Zags took control. In the final seconds of the half, Davis Fogle threw down a dunk off a fast break and was fouled by Vukasin Masic. Fogle converted the three-point play to put the Zags up 41-27 with 6.6 seconds remaining.
The half ended with Gonzaga in front 41-29. The Zags led by double digits for the entire second half.
The Dons have racked up at least 20 wins in each of the past eight seasons (excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season). That streak appears likely to end.
Briefly: Riley, who scored a team-high 16 points, had missed USF's previous two games. … USF forward Veniamin Abosi remains out with an injury. He last played in the Dons' 87-82 victory over Pacific on Jan. 31. … The Dons play their home finale Saturday night against Santa Clara (22-6, 13-2). The Broncos beat USF 88-73 at the Leavey Center on Jan. 28. … Gonzaga has home games against Pacific and Portland before returning to the Bay Area to face St. Mary's (24-4, 13-2) in the regular-season finale Feb. 28.
This article originally published at Gonzaga's dominance of USF continues with blowout win at Chase Center.