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Gonzaga Bulldogs 102, Nicholls Colonels 72: Live score recap, highlights from men's college basketball game

The Bulldogs beat the Colonels in their return to the Kennel

Cole Forsman

Gonzaga Bulldogs senior forward Michael Ajayi.
Gonzaga Bulldogs senior forward Michael Ajayi. / Photo by Erik Smith, Myk Crawford
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Led by a season-high 25 points from Braden Huff, the Gonzaga Bulldogs (8-3) cruised to a 102-72 victory over the Nicholls Colonels (7-5) Wednesday night at the McCarthey Athletic.

The Zags overcame a sluggish start of the gate, as they trailed for a majority of the first half until a 17-2 scoring run flipped momentum in favor of the home team. Huff scored six-straight points to start the run. The 6-foot-10 post had 13 points in the first half.

Ryan Nembhard recorded his sixth double-double of the season with an 18-point, 10 assist effort. Graham Ike added 20 points and six rebounds. Byron Ireland paced Nicholls with 16 points.

Here is the live updates recap:

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FINAL: GONZAGA 102, NICHOLLS 72

2ND HALF

Gonzaga 95, Nicholls 70 (2:38): Mark Few has put in the reserves to finish off Gonzaga's blowout victory.

Gonzaga 88, Nicholls 66 (3:59): Nolan Hickman answers a 3-pointer from Michael Gray Jr. with one of his own, as the Bulldogs look to put the finishing touches on their ninth straight win at home. Braden Huff is one point shy of tying his career-high of 26 points. Ryan Nembhard has his sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 assists.

Gonzaga 76, Nicholls 56 (7:17): Braden Huff matches his season-high of 21 points while converting a sweet turnaround hookshot to extend the Bulldogs' advantage over the Colonels.

Gonzaga 72, Nicholls 54 (9:00): A quick 6-0 scoring spurt gives the Zags their largest lead of the night. Dusty Stromer connected on a floater inside the arc, then Nolan Hickman found Ben Gregg in transition during the ensuing possession for a two-hand dunk. Truly a tale of two halves so far for the Bulldogs, who started the second half 12-of-17 from the field.

Gonzaga 64, Nicholls 51 (11:23): Braden Huff continues his hot night around the rim, as the 6-foot-10 post is up to 17 points after back-to-back scores down low to keep the Bulldogs out in front. Graham Ike leads the Zags with 18. Nicholls keeps within striking distance behind a 3-pointer from Michael Gray Jr.

Gonzaga 57, Nicholls 42 (14:11): The Bulldogs look more focused coming out of the locker room as they try to extend their lead over the Colonels. Nolan Hickman drilled his first 3-pointer of the night off an assist from Ryan Nembhard, his ninth. Gonzaga has 14 assists on 19 made field goals.

HALFTIME: Gonzaga 43, Nicholls 29: It wasn't pretty early on, but the Bulldogs shook off a lackluster start to end the first half on a 17-2 scoring run and take a 14-point lead over the Colonels into the locker room. Braden Huff sparked the offense with 13 points off the bench, including a run of seven-straight to put his team out in front after battling from behind for most of the first half. Gonzaga held Nicholls to 1-for-8 from the field over the final five minutes.

1ST HALF

Gonzaga 31, Nicholls 27 (3:25): The Bulldogs rattle off a 10-2 scoring run to gain a slight lead over the Colonels. Moments after Graham Ike knocked down his third 3-pointer of the season, Ryan Nembhard found Michael Ajayi in transition for a two-hand dunk. Gonzaga seems to have found a groove heading into halftime.

Gonzaga 25, Nicholls (5:57): Braden Huff has a chance to put the Zags out in front if he completes a 3-point play at the free throw line following an offensive putback, plus the foul over Nicholls' Robert Brown III. Huff has scored six consecutive points for Gonzaga.

Nicholls 20, Gonzaga 19 (8:37): The Zags went nearly four minutes without a field in a stretch that included back-to-back turnovers that led to points for Nicholls. Braden Huff snapped the cold streak with a floater off a pass from Nolan Hickman, followed by a sweet dime from Ryan Nembahrd to Ben Gregg.

Nicholls 14, Gonzaga 13 (11:55): The Kennel was finally awaken by a transition score from Nolan Hickman, as the Zags have started to shake off their lackluster start near the midway point of the first half. Braden Huff helped spark the offense with four quick points off the bench. Nicholls, meanwhile, has missed six of its last seven attempts.

Nicholls 8, Gonzaga 5 (15:52): Bulldogs come out of the gate sluggish, committing three turnovers and starting 1-for-5 from the field against the Colonels, who jumped out in front behind two scores from Mekhi Collins.

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Cole Forsman
COLE FORSMAN

Cole Forsman is a reporter for Gonzaga Bulldogs On SI. Cole holds a degree in Journalism and Sports Management from Gonzaga University.

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