Gonzaga Rolls Past Georgia, Falls Short Against Houston in NCAA Second Round

Gonzaga’s 2025 NCAA Tournament journey showcased both dominance and resilience. The Bulldogs delivered a commanding victory over Georgia in the first round but faced a narrow defeat against top-seeded Houston in the Round of 32.

First Round: Gonzaga 89, Georgia 68

On March 20, 2025, at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, the No. 8 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs faced the No. 9 seed Georgia Bulldogs. Gonzaga asserted control early, initiating a 13-0 run by the first media timeout and extending the lead to 27-3 with 11:44 remaining in the first half. They maintained this momentum, leading 48-27 at halftime and achieving their largest advantage at 76-50 midway through the second half.

Gonzaga’s offensive efficiency was evident as they shot 55% from the field and converted 12 of 20 attempts from beyond the arc. Defensively, they limited Georgia to 35% shooting and a mere 5 of 26 from three-point range.

Top Performers:

• Gonzaga:

• Khalif Battle: 24 points (9-13 FG, 4-7 3PT), 8 rebounds.

• Braden Huff: 18 points (8-11 FG), 8 rebounds.

• Nolan Hickman: 18 points (5-9 FG, 5-8 3PT).

• Georgia:

• Asa Newell: 20 points (6-10 FG), 8 rebounds.

• Silas Demary Jr.: 15 points (3-14 FG), 4 assists.

Second Round: Houston 81, Gonzaga 76

Advancing to the Round of 32 on March 22, 2025, Gonzaga faced the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars at INTRUST Bank Arena. Houston led 35-27 at halftime, propelled by L.J. Cryer’s 16 first-half points. Despite trailing by nine with just over two minutes remaining, Gonzaga rallied to narrow the deficit to 77-76 with 21 seconds left. However, Houston secured the victory with clutch free throws in the final moments.

Gonzaga displayed strong shooting, finishing at 50% from the field and 45% from three-point range. Houston’s defense forced 11 turnovers and outrebounded Gonzaga 33-27, contributing to their win.

Top Performers:

• Gonzaga:

• Graham Ike: 27 points (8-13 FG, 2-2 3PT, 9-9 FT), 5 rebounds.

• Khalif Battle: 17 points (5-12 FG, 3-6 3PT), 4 rebounds.

• Houston:

• L.J. Cryer: 30 points (8-15 FG, 6-12 3PT, 8-8 FT).

• J’Wan Roberts: 18 points (9-18 FG), 7 rebounds.

Season Recap

Gonzaga concluded the 2024-2025 season with a 26-9 record, marking their 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Bulldogs maintained their reputation as a high-scoring team, averaging 86.6 points per game and leading the nation in assists. Despite the second-round exit, the season featured significant victories and the emergence of key players like Khalif Battle and Graham Ike, setting a strong foundation for the program’s future.