In the first half, both teams started off fairly hot shooting the ball but by the end of the half, Iowa State was struggling a bit with making their shots while Gonzaga was drianing baskets consistently. Iowa State converted 38.2% of their shots while Gonzaga converted 64.5% of their shots. Because of that shooting, Gonzaga led 49-34 at the half. Both teams had good ball security as Gonzaga had five turnovers at the half and Iowa State had three.
Gonzaga was led by guard Nigel Williams-Goss, who had 12 points at the half. Center Przemek Karnowski added 10 points and led the team in rebounds with five, as well as assists with four. Gonzaga also outrebounded Iowa State at the half 19-13.
Iowa State was led by guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long, who led all scorers with 16 points. Fellow guards Deonte Burton and Monte Morris also contributed eight points apiece. Had Iowa State made more of their shots, it may have been a closer game at the half.
In the second half, it looked like it was going to be more of the same. but Iowa State started playing much tougher defense and making their shots. They even went on a 13-0 run midway through the second half to cut Gonzaga’s lead to five. With 8.8 seconds left in the game, Iowa State was down by two points and had the ball and looked like they tie or even win the game. Unfortunately for them, it was not to be as they missed their final shot as the buzzer expired.
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Gonzaga was led Williams-Goss, who finished with 18 points and led the team in scoring. He was named Most Valuable Player when the Championship trophy was presented. Guard Josh Perkins added 12 points and tied for the team lead in assist with five and Karnowski finished with 11 points and led the team in rebounds with eight.
Iowa State was led by Burton, who finished with a double-double and led all players in scoring. He scored 29 points and led the team in rebounds with 12. Mitrou-Long added 16 points and nine rebounds and Morris finished with 14 points and led the team in assists with nine. Iowa State played tough, physical defense in the second half and forced six turnovers by Gonzaga, while they only had three. Both teams finished with 34 rebounds.
Gonzaga will return home, to the McCarthey Athletic Center, to face the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils on Thursday, December 1st at 9PM PST. Iowa State will return home, to the James H. Hilton Coliseum, to the face the University of Cincinnati Bearcats on Thursday, December 1st at 9PM CST.