Drew Timme scores career-high 37 factors as No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs roll over No. 5 Texas Longhorns

SPOKANE, Wash. — Drew Timme scored a career-high 37 factors and made it look simple as he sank 15 of 19 pictures to guide top-ranked Gonzaga over No. 5 Texas 86-74 on Saturday.

“That is an awesome crew win, man,” mentioned Timme, a number one candidate for participant of the 12 months. ”That is a tricky crew.”

Timme performed practically 38 minutes and added seven rebounds and three assists whereas carrying the majority of the offensive load.

“I all the time have enjoyable once I play,” the junior ahead mentioned. “It is a pleasure to play this recreation.” He added that “with the ability to be in a strain scenario is a privilege. We’re grateful to play high-level video games.”

Coach Mark Few mentioned Timme was “arguably the most effective participant in school basketball.”

“He performed prefer it tonight,” mentioned Few, who returned to the sidelines Saturday after serving a three-game suspension for a DUI. He sat out two exhibition video games and the season-opening win over Dixie State.

“He is an off-the-charts competitor” and brings a aggressive swagger, Few mentioned of Timme.

Rasir Bolton added 16 factors for Gonzaga (2-0), which gained a school-record 53rd consecutive residence recreation. The Bulldogs’ final residence loss was in 2018.

Timmy Allen scored 18 factors for Texas (1-1), which was making an attempt to beat a top-ranked crew for the primary time in program historical past. As an alternative, the Longhorns fell to 0-12 towards No. 1 groups.

“I want we might performed higher,” Texas coach Chris Beard mentioned. “It wasn’t for lack of effort.”

Texas fell behind early and was down 20 at halftime. The Longhorns outscored the Zags 47-39 within the second half, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient.

Beard famous that he had recruited Timme, a Texas native, whereas he was at Texas Tech.

“He is a load,” Beard mentioned. “A real 6-10, robust. He performs his angles rather well.”

Timme exceeded his earlier excessive of 30 factors. Anton Watson had 10 factors for Gonzaga.

The Bulldogs began quick, as Timme had 11 factors on 5-for-5 taking pictures lower than 5 minutes into the sport. Gonzaga shot 59% within the first half, whereas the Longhorns shot simply 36% and made 9 fewer discipline objectives.

Texas chipped away on the deficit as Gonzaga’s taking pictures cooled off within the second half. Allen had a pair of baskets throughout an 8-2 run that minimize Gonzaga’s result in 60-49 with 10 minutes left.

A 3-pointer by Bolton and 5 straight factors by Timme pushed Gonzaga’s result in 72-53 with 6:47 left. However Texas put collectively a 13-5 run, together with consecutive 3-pointers by Allen and Marcus Carr, to chop Gonzaga’s result in 77-66.

Gonzaga scored the following seven factors for an 84-66 lead with 2:36 left, and the Longhorns couldn’t come again.

The Longhorns are the highest-ranked opponent to go to the McCarthey Athletic Middle because it opened in 2004. Gonzaga has a 237-15 all-time document within the constructing.

Beard mentioned extra high groups ought to schedule early-season video games towards one another. Gonzaga will play at Texas subsequent 12 months.

“The most effective groups within the nation ought to play actual highway video games,” he mentioned. “I am wanting ahead to taking part in extra.”

Gonzaga is 4-0 towards Texas, with all earlier video games at impartial websites.

The Related Press contributed to this report.