What Mark Few Said After Braden Huff Led Gonzaga to Victory Over Campbell
Gonzaga secured a 98-70 victory over Campbell, thanks to a career-high 37 points from Braden Huff. The Bulldogs faced a feisty Campbell squad that stayed competitive despite trailing by as much as 19 points in the second half. Huff’s remarkable performance helped seal the win for Gonzaga.
The Scene Before Tipoff
Fans were slow to fill the McCarthey Athletic Center for Gonzaga’s Wednesday night game against Campbell, with many seats still empty as the team warmed up. The usual student section was sparse due to Christmas break, leaving the atmosphere quieter than usual. Despite this, the game kicked off with the usual pregame hype, including “Zombie Nation” and the announcer calling out the starting lineups.
A Slow Start for Gonzaga
Just like the sparse crowd, Gonzaga needed time to find its rhythm. Campbell, determined to pull off an upset, fought hard to stay in the game. Led by D.J. Smith’s timely shots and aggressive defense, the Camels managed to make a late push, trimming the lead to just 10 points with a quick 8-0 run around the 9-minute mark in the second half.
Huff’s Historic Night
Despite the Camels’ best efforts, it was Braden Huff who dominated. The 6-foot-10 forward played brilliantly, reaching 26 points in the first half, tying his career-high, and not missing a shot until the second half. Huff’s efficiency was unmatched, finishing the game with a 16-for-18 shooting performance—breaking the McCarthey Athletic Center record for most field goals made by a Gonzaga player in a single game.
Gonzaga head coach Mark Few praised Huff’s effort, saying, “It was his normal B-Huff. We needed every one of them there for a while. He was just incredibly efficient.” Huff handled Campbell’s defensive schemes, including double teams and physical play, with ease.
Late Surge to Secure the Win
Gonzaga finished the game strong, outscoring Campbell 26-8 in the final 9 minutes to clinch their 11th double-digit win of the season.
Coach Few’s Thoughts Postgame
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On Jalen Warley’s Effort:
“It’s his effort and his heart. We needed every one of those plays. His steals, his defensive pressure. He was guarding guys four or five inches taller than him and still playing great defense. Just a great effort, great heart.” -
On Steele Venters and His Role:
“We need guys who can space the floor and hunt shots, but Steele needs to keep improving defensively—keeping guys in front of him and not getting blown by. He does a good job spreading the floor, which forces defenders to respect him even when he’s out at 30 feet.” -
Looking Ahead to Oregon:
“Oregon is always really athletic. They’ve got some incredible talent, like Jackson Shelstad, their point guard. He’s a big shotmaker and really quick. They have a lot of athletes inside and on the wings. Dana Altman does a great job putting it all together. It’s going to be a big game. We’ve had an incredible nonconference season so far.”
Gonzaga’s win over Campbell was a solid performance, highlighted by Huff’s career night. The Bulldogs now look forward to a tough matchup with Oregon on Sunday.
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