Busting Brackets
Fansided

3 takeaways from Gonzaga Basketball’s historically shocking loss to LMU

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 19, 2023; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few looks on against the Loyola Marymount Lions in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2023; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few looks on against the Loyola Marymount Lions in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Loyola Marymount Lions James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Loyola Marymount Lions James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

In a college basketball world where nothing seems shocking anymore, there has always been something that never changed out west. And that’s Gonzaga’s stranglehold on the WCC and its unbeaten streak over teams not named BYU or Saint Mary’s.

The last time the Bulldogs lost to one of the other seven teams in the conference, was all the way back on February 14th at San Deigo in 2014. The program had beaten Thursday night’s opponent LMU for 25 straight times and was on a current 75-game overall home winning streak. But after near defeats at both San Francisco and Santa Clara, this team looked to be vulnerable.

That’s happened before but Gonzaga always found a way to win. The game last night was close and the Lions were red-hot from the field, led by guard Cam Shelton. He made a number of tough shots in the second half to give them a late lead but the Bulldogs, thanks to a Drew Timme free throw, retook it with about 30 seconds left.

But LMU, thanks to Shelton, had one last trick out of their sleeves.

https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1616289791670386689

Gonzaga wasn’t able to respond in the following possession to lose the game, 68-67. It drops the Bulldogs to second place in the WCC and to 16-4 overall. Timme led the team with 17 points and seven rebounds but they were nearly 20 points off their season average of around 86 ppg, which ranks first in the country,

There are lots of take away from this game concerning the on-the-court play and the consequences of this defeat. Here are my three biggest reactions to the defeat.