Eric Boggs 
Gonzaga and San Diego State
Graham Ike and Ryan Nembhard delivered standout performances Monday night as No. 3 Gonzaga defeated San Diego State 80-67 in a clash of future Pac-12 rivals at Viejas Arena.
Despite early foul trouble that limited him to just over five minutes in the first half, Ike rebounded with a dominant second-half performance, scoring 20 of his 23 points and securing nine rebounds. Nembhard added a stellar double-double, contributing 19 points and 10 assists. The Bulldogs improved to 4-0 on the season, showcasing their depth as Braden Huff chipped in 10 first-half points, while Khalif Battle, Nolan Hickman, and Ben Gregg combined for 18 points. Gonzaga’s efficiency at the free-throw line (27-of-31) proved pivotal in sealing the win.
San Diego State (2-1) saw a strong showing from Nick Boyd, who led the Aztecs with 23 points, while BJ Davis and Wayne McKinney III added 15 and 11 points, respectively. However, SDSU struggled to match Gonzaga’s firepower in the second half, marking a stark contrast to last season’s victory over the Bulldogs, which ended Gonzaga’s 59-game nonconference winning streak.
Key Moments
After leading 40-31 at halftime, Gonzaga opened the second half with an 8-2 run, extending their lead to 48-33 in the first 1:32. Ike scored five quick points during this stretch, followed by a three-pointer from Michael Ajai, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.
Notable Stats
- Free Throws: Gonzaga capitalized on free throws, with Ike going 9-of-11 and Nembhard a perfect 8-of-8.
- Second-Half Scoring: Ike and Nembhard combined for 32 of Gonzaga’s 40 points after halftime.
Broader Implications
Both teams reached the Sweet 16 last season, a testament to their elite status in college basketball. Gonzaga, dominant in the West Coast Conference for over two decades, is set to join the restructured Pac-12 in 2026, alongside San Diego State and other Mountain West programs like Boise State and Utah State.
Upcoming Games
Gonzaga returns to Spokane to host Long Beach State on Wednesday night. San Diego State faces No. 14 Creighton on Nov. 26 in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.
With a deep roster and consistent execution, Gonzaga continues to solidify its position among the nation’s top teams, setting high expectations for the remainder of the season.
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