Gonzaga Basketball: 3 takeaways from clutch road win over BYU Cougars

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Gonzaga Basketball forward Drew Timme (left) and guard Julian Strawther Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

It doesn’t seem to matter the talent level when Gonzaga Basketball takes on the BYU Cougars. Whether the game is in Provo or Spokane, or even in Las Vegas in the WCC Tournament, this rivalry always has some big moments.

It looked that way earlier in the game, with both teams racing out on offense in the shootout, shooting over 50% from the field. The score at halftime was 44-39, with the Bulldogs having chances to extend the lead but failing to make key shots from the perimeter.

The struggles from the guard line came back to haunt them in the second half, as turnovers, missed inside shots and a hot-shooting three-point stretch from the Cougars put Gonzaga down 10 points with around five minutes left. After close calls against both San Francisco and Santa Clara, it looked like the third time was going to be the charm for WCC road opponents against the Bulldogs.

But in the end, Gonzaga made the shots when it mattered; to both make the comeback and then finish it off thanks to Julian Strawther.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1613758182832377856

It’s a heartbreaking loss for the BYU Cougars, who needed this win to have any hope of getting back to the NCAA Tournament conversation. At home up by six with a couple of minutes left, that’s a game you have to finish. But Gonzaga proved once again why they’re always the team to beat in the WCC.

I did an article previewing this matchup, looking at what Gonzaga needed to do to beat the Cougars. And based on what they didn’t do, nearly lost the game. Here are now some takeaways I have from the battle.