SportbasketballNCAA Basketball
Graham Ike has 19 points and 11 rebounds, No. 21 Gonzaga beats Oklahoma 83-68
Alright, folks, let's break down what went down in Spokane on Saturday night, because the Zags just put the college basketball world on notice with a statement 83-68 win over Oklahoma that felt less like a game and more like a clinic. Graham Ike wasn't just playing; he was a force of nature, dropping a casual 19 points and snagging 11 boards like it was a walk in the park, setting the tone for a Gonzaga squad that looked every bit the part of a national contender.But this wasn't a one-man show—Tyon Grant-Foster added 14 points, while the duo of Jalen Warley and Braden Huff, each with 13 points, combined for a ridiculous 17 rebounds, showing a depth that should have every team in the WCC sweating. And can we talk about freshman point guard Mario Saint-Supry for a sec? The kid finished with eight points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals, playing with the poise of a veteran and giving us all a glimpse of the future in a backcourt that's already stacked.On the other side, Oklahoma had their moments, with Nijel Pack leading the charge with 20 points and Xzayvier Brown adding 19, but they just couldn't handle the Bulldogs' relentless pace and efficiency. The game turned early when Ike and Huff sparked a 12-3 run to make it 15-11, and from there, Gonzaga never looked back, even when Derrion Reid's free throws pulled the Sooners to within one at 19-18.What followed was pure dominance: a 20-5 blitz that saw Warley converting a three-point play to push the lead to 17, showcasing a killer instinct that's been missing in past Zags teams. By halftime, the numbers were staggering—Gonzaga shot 54% from the field, grabbed 10 offensive rebounds, and racked up 11 second-chance points for a 49-30 lead that felt insurmountable.This win isn't just about starting 2-0; it's about sending a message that Mark Few's crew is back and hungry, especially with a huge test against No. 23 Creighton coming up on Tuesday night, a game that could define their non-conference resume.For Oklahoma, it's back to the drawing board before hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but the Sooners have to figure out how to match that physicality if they want to compete in the Big 12. In the grand scheme, this performance screams Final Four potential, with a balanced attack that reminds me of those classic Gonzaga teams that just wear you down—think of it as basketball's version of a slow burn, where every possession feels like a mini-battle. So, grab your popcorn, because if this is how the Zags are starting the season, we're in for one heck of a ride.
#Gonzaga Bulldogs
#Oklahoma Sooners
#college basketball
#game recap
#Graham Ike
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