Ike's Double-Double Lifts Gonzaga Over Santa Clara

No. 12 Gonzaga edged out Santa Clara 94-86 on Saturday night, with Graham Ike leading the charge with 21 points and a season-high 15 rebounds. This crucial victory propels the Bulldogs into sole possession of first place in the West Coast Conference standings, holding a half-game lead over the Broncos.

Ike's stellar performance, including his seventh consecutive game with 20 or more points, was instrumental. He managed these impressive stats despite a brief stint in foul trouble late in the second half. Gonzaga's depth was also on display, with Adam Miller and Tyon Grant-Foster each scoring 20 points.

The Bulldogs, now 25-2 overall and 13-1 in conference play, continued coach Mark Few's remarkable streak of 19 consecutive seasons with at least 25 wins. Few was recently recognized as a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.

Gonzaga showcased their resilience by overcoming a slow start, trailing by eight points early on. They rallied with a 15-7 run and took their first lead on an Ike basket. Despite shooting just 17% from three-point range, the Bulldogs dominated the paint with 66 points and outrebounded Santa Clara 41-32.