Five Zags score in double digits, GU rolls over Baylor in season opener

The Gonzaga Bulldogs sent a clear message to the college basketball world on opening night: this team is ready to make a serious run this season. In an impressive season opener, the No. 6 Zags dominated No. 8 Baylor with a 101-63 victory at the Spokane Arena. Not only was it a statement win for Gonzaga, but it also marked the largest-ever win for the program over a top-10 opponent. This commanding performance wasn’t just about one player shining—it was a team effort, with five different Zags scoring in double digits. The win showcased the depth, cohesion, and offensive firepower that Gonzaga has built heading into the new season.

From the start, it was clear that the Zags were not going to take any prisoners. After Baylor opened the game with a free throw to take a 1-0 lead, Gonzaga quickly answered with a three-point play from Graham Ike. The early exchange set the tone for what was to come, as Gonzaga flexed its defensive muscles with a high-pressure full-court press and then capitalized on those turnovers with quick baskets. Just minutes into the game, Nolan Hickman and Ben Gregg had already hit key layups to help the Zags surge to an early 8-1 lead. Baylor, struggling to find any rhythm on offense, missed its first five shots, while Gonzaga’s defense stifled any attempt to get into an offensive flow.

Baylor did briefly respond to Gonzaga’s early onslaught. After calling an early timeout, the Bears went on an 8-0 run to take a brief 9-8 lead, showing their own offensive capabilities. However, it didn’t take long for Gonzaga to retake control. Freshman Dusty Stromer hit a three-pointer, followed by another score in the paint from Braden Huff, pushing the Zags back into the lead at 18-11 after eight minutes of play. Gonzaga’s size and skill inside, particularly from Ike and Huff, began to wear down the Bears. Mark Few, Gonzaga’s head coach, was quick to highlight the team’s advantage in the post, saying, “We were playing through [Huff] and Ike, drawing double teams and playing out of that.” This strategy worked wonders, as both big men were able to get clean looks near the basket, while the Zags’ supporting cast nailed outside shots to keep the defense on edge.

It wasn’t just the veterans leading the charge. Gonzaga’s newcomers also made an immediate impact. Michael Ajayi, who was making his debut for the Zags, showcased his physicality in the paint, scoring his first official basket with eight minutes left in the first half. Another transfer, Khalif Battle, added a jolt of energy with a three-pointer to extend the lead to 30-18, and by the end of the first half, Gonzaga had built a commanding 49-30 lead. Hickman led the charge for the Zags, with 11 points in the first half, while Baylor’s Jeremy Roach was the only Bear to score in double digits by halftime, with seven points.

The first half stats told the story of the game. Gonzaga shot 54.3% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. Baylor, on the other hand, struggled from the field, shooting just 36.4% overall and a dismal 15.4% from three-point range. Gonzaga also dominated the glass, out-rebounding Baylor 23-17, a crucial stat considering how much the Bears rely on offensive boards for extra possessions. The Zags’ defensive pressure and efficient shooting left Baylor with little room to recover in the second half.

Coming out of the break, Gonzaga continued to build its lead with crisp ball movement and effective offensive execution. Ike was once again a focal point in the paint, where he had success against Baylor’s defense. It was clear that Baylor was having difficulty handling Gonzaga’s size and depth, especially with Ike and Huff controlling the interior. Gonzaga’s backcourt picked up right where it left off, with Nembhard picking off a Baylor pass and feeding Hickman for an easy three-pointer, pushing the lead back to 25 points. At this point, the game was slipping away from Baylor, and there was little hope of a comeback.

Despite the large deficit, Baylor did attempt to make a push. With just under 15 minutes left in the game, the Bears went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 17 points, but that was as close as they would get. After trading a few baskets, Baylor put together another quick run, this time a 6-0 stretch that saw the lead shrink to 15 points. However, Gonzaga responded to this brief Baylor surge with back-to-back three-pointers from Hickman and Nembhard. The Zags’ shooting was just too much for Baylor to keep pace with. Hickman’s three-pointer was followed by another pair of threes from Khalif Battle, who had a scorching stretch from deep. By the time Battle hit his third consecutive three-pointer with just over six minutes left, the Zags’ lead had ballooned to 34 points.

The Zags continued their onslaught, with Ajayi adding his name to the scoring column with a three-pointer that pushed the lead to 89-55. At that point, the game was all but over, and Gonzaga cruised to a 101-63 victory, cementing their position as one of the nation’s top teams heading into the season. The 101-point performance was a testament to Gonzaga’s offensive efficiency, as they finished the game shooting 52.8% from the field and a scorching 42.9% from three-point range.

Five players finished in double digits for Gonzaga: Hickman (17 points), Ike (14 points), Battle (12 points), Stromer (11 points), and Huff (10 points). The balanced scoring attack showcased just how deep this Gonzaga team is. With multiple players capable of stepping up offensively, the Zags have the firepower to challenge anyone in the nation. This win also highlighted the strength of Gonzaga’s defense, which consistently disrupted Baylor’s offensive sets and held them to just 36.4% shooting from the field. The Bears never found their rhythm, and that’s a credit to the defensive schemes that Mark Few had in place for the game.

For Baylor, their lone bright spot came from new transfer Norchad Omier, who led the Bears with 15 points and nine rebounds in his first official game for the program. However, Baylor’s offense struggled overall, with most of their key players, including VJ Edgecomb and LJ Cryer, failing to find much success. Baylor’s head coach Scott Drew will surely be looking for ways to improve his team’s shooting and defense after such a disappointing loss.

Gonzaga’s success was a product of both the experience of returning players and the immediate impact from their newcomers. Players like Huff and Ike were able to assert their dominance in the post, while the backcourt duo of Hickman and Nembhard showed their ability to make plays on both ends of the floor. The team’s chemistry, built on a core of returning players from last season, was evident in the way they moved the ball and trusted each other throughout the game. The addition of new talent like Battle, Ajayi, and Stromer has only bolstered an already deep roster, giving Few a wealth of options at his disposal.

In the postgame interviews, Huff spoke about the team’s unselfishness and camaraderie: “This whole group has a ton of trust in each other. We’ve got a lot of returners and the new guys who came in fit pretty seamlessly. Everyone trusts each other and the coach instills a lot of confidence in us.” This trust was evident on the court, where players were constantly looking for the best shot, whether it was in the post or from deep.

With the win, Gonzaga moves to 1-0 on the season and will look to build on this momentum heading into their next game against Arizona State. The matchup, set for Sunday at the McCarthey Center, will be another test for the Zags as they look to continue their strong start to the season. As for Baylor, the Bears will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back from one of their toughest defeats in recent memory. For Gonzaga, however, this performance is an early indicator that they are one of the teams to watch this season. With such a deep, talented roster and a strong mix of experience and new blood, the Zags are primed for another successful campaign.