Gonzaga Defeats Santa Clara in Key Matchup
The Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team secured a crucial 94-86 road victory over Santa Clara. Graham Ike was noted for an "All-American performance," while Adam Miller had a breakout game with 21 points. The win was seen as a testament to the team's depth, as they overcame struggles with three-point and free-throw shooting.
- This victory on February 14, 2026, moved Gonzaga (25-2, 13-1 WCC) a half-game ahead of Santa Clara (22-6, 13-2) to reclaim first place in the West Coast Conference. The win also extended Gonzaga's NCAA record of 25-win seasons to 19 straight. - Graham Ike's performance included 21 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, marking his seventh consecutive game with at least 20 points. Over this seven-game stretch, he averaged 26.7 points, raising his season scoring average from 16.3 to 19.8. - Adam Miller's 21 points were a season high by eight, and he was particularly crucial in the latter part of the game, scoring 16 of his points in the final seven minutes of the second half. - The Bulldogs overcame poor three-point shooting, making just 3 of 18 attempts (17%). They compensated by dominating inside, scoring 66 points in the paint and outrebounding the Broncos 41-32. - The win snapped Santa Clara's nine-game winning streak and handed them their first home loss of the season. Gonzaga has now won 23 of the last 25 meetings at Santa Clara. - Four Gonzaga players scored in double figures, with Tyon Grant-Foster adding 20 points and Emmanuel Innocenti scoring a career-high 16 points. - Despite the high-scoring affair, Gonzaga struggled with free throws, shooting 65.5% (19 of 29) for the game after being below 50% for a significant portion of the second half. - Following this game, Gonzaga's next matchup was on the road against the University of San Francisco, while Santa Clara also faced San Francisco in their subsequent game.
