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Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UConn Huskies: Live score updates, highlights from men's college basketball game

The Bulldogs (7-2) venture across the country to meet the Huskies (7-3) at Madison Square Garden

Cole Forsman

Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Khalif Battle.
Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Khalif Battle. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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Two college basketball heavyweights go toe-to-toe Saturday when the Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-2) take on the UConn Huskies (7-3) from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Zags head across the country looking to rebound from their 90-89 overtime loss to Kentucky last Saturday, a game in which they led by as many as 18 points before falling flat on both ends of the floor in the second half. Senior forward Graham Ike led the way with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Ryan Nembhard recorded his fourth double-double of the season in a 13-point, 10-assist performance. Heading into the matchup, Gonzaga won 175 games when leading by 10 or more points at halftime — it was the longest active streak in Division I.

UConn is set to return to its home away from home on Saturday following back-to-back victories over Big 12 schools. The Huskies bounced back from a disastrous 0-3 showing at the Maui Invitational with an impressive 76-72 win over Baylor without Alex Karaban. The 6-foot-8 redshirt junior returned for the Huskies’ 76-65 victory over the Longhorns in Austin, Texas, last Sunday, scoring 21 points in 40 minutes played.

Saturday’s game, part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Series, will be the third meeting between these two college basketball powers in the last 21 months. UConn has won five of the previous seven head-to-head matchups, including the 2023 Elite Eight (82-54) and last season’s regular season game at Climate Pledge Arena (76-63).

Here are the live updates:

2ND HALF:

UConn 75, Gonzaga 70 (0:42): Ryan Nembhard left a layup attempt short at the rim, resulting in a rebound for the Huskies and an immediate tie-up from the Zags. UConn can end the game at the free throw line. Gonzaga needs a turnover and score.

UConn 75, Gonzaga 70 (0:59): Alex Karaban makes it a 5-point game with under a minute to play in regulation after converting on a layup.

UConn 73, Gonzaga 69 (3:25): Liam McNeely sets a new career-high with 24 points on the night, as he corkscrewed his way through Gonzaga's defense for a wild layup to extend UConn's lead. Michael Ajayi answered with an offensive rebound and putback, plus the foul for the potential to make a 3-point play and cut the deficit to three points. Ajayi and Braden Huff have been key on the offensive glass down the stretch for Gonzaga.

UConn 65, Gonzaga 59 (8:31): Ryan Nembhard snapped Gonzaga's cold streak with a tough floater over the top of UConn's defense. Since their 10-0 run, the Huskies have gone two minutes without a point.

UConn 65, Gonzaga 55 (10:08): It's now a 10-0 run for the Huskies following Liam McNeely's second 3-pointer of the night. The Bulldogs have missed their last four attempts from the field.

UConn 60, Gonzaga 55 (10:57): The Huskies responded to the Bulldogs' surge behind Jaylin Stewart, who knocked down a 3-pointer coming out of the timeout and had an acrobatic layup to put his team back in front. Ryan Nembhard had his layup attempt blocked by Tarris Reed Jr.

Gonzaga 55, UConn 55 (11:51): Khalif Battle and Ryan Nembhard knock down back-to-back 3-pointers, and of a sudden the tide is beginning to turn in Madison Square Garden. Aidan Mahaney costed the Huskies with a careless 10-second violation, followed by a missed layup on the ensuing possession. Battle and Nembhard have combined for 32 of their team's 55 points thus far.

UConn 53, Gonzaga 47 (15:17): Offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities helped UConn extend its lead to as many as nine points after Solo Ball drilled a 3-pointer off a drive from Liam McNeely. Gonzaga has continued to attack the basket and create foul pressure as ways of sparking its offense.

UConn 47, Gonzaga 42 (17:56): Graham Ike heads to the bench with his third foul. Neither side has been able to get into much of a flow offensively to start the second half due to a handful of whistles.

HALFTIME: UConn 43, Gonzaga 40: Ryan Nembhard capped off a thrilling back-and-forth half with a coast-to-coast layup at the buzzer to make it a 3-point game at halftime. The Bulldogs trailed by double-digits early on but stormed back behind an electric first-half from Khalif Battle, who led the team with 11 points on 3-for-4 from 3-point range. Freshman forward Liam McNeely had 13 points at the break to lead UConn.

1ST HALF:

UConn 35, Gonzaga 31 (3:41): Ryan Nembhard is up to six points and six assists following a driving layup past UConn's defense. The Bulldogs have had greater success attacking the Huskies' interior as the half has progressed. UConn continues to generate open looks through its intricate offensive sets.

UConn 33, Gonzaga 29 (5:05): The Huskies went back in front using an 8-0 scoring run, though the Bulldogs had an answer. Ryan Nembhard found Khalif Battle for his third 3-pointer of the half, then hit Michael Ajayi for an and-one later on to keep the Zags within striking distance.

UConn 22, Gonzaga 21 (7:54): Dusty Stromer put the Bulldogs out in front for the first time tonight with a pair of free throws. Tarris Reed Jr. responded with a block on Braden Huff, followed by a score on the other end. Overall, Gonzaga has done a better job of blowing up UConn's sets without Samson Johnson in the game.

UConn 20, Gonzaga 19 (9:46): Here come the Zags. Ryan Nembhard's jumper in transition caps a 7-0 scoring run, prompting a timeout from the Huskies. Samson Johnson exited the game after landing hard while trying to contest a layup.

UConn 20, Gonzaga 14 (11:49): Battle continued to spark Gonzaga's offense, as he drilled his second 3-pointer of the first half. UConn's offense has been running like a well-oiled machine throughout the first half.

UConn 15, Gonzaga 7 (14:28): Khalif Battle helps get the Zags out of their rut with a tough layup through traffic, followed by a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession after Braden Huff made a nice defensive stand around the rim. Liam McNeely leads UConn with seven points on 3-for-3 from the field.

UConn 11, Gonzaga 2 (17:22): The Huskies have the Madison Square Garden crowd fired up after they jumped jump out to an early lead over the Bulldogs. Samson Johnson threw down two dunks to get things going for UConn.

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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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