Gonzaga's Ben Gregg channels Ted Lasso after big second half: 'Gotta be a goldfish and have a short memory'

Gregg scored 17 points, including four consecutive 3-pointers at the start of the second half

LAS VEGAS - Ben Gregg caught fire in the second half, hitting four 3-pointers in a four-minute stretch to help Gonzaga pull away from the USF Dons for an 89-77 victory on Monday night in the West Coast Conference Tournament semifinals. 

Gregg struggled with his shot in the first half, missing all four attempts. But he drew inspiration from Ted Lasso at halftime and came out firing in the second half.

"Me and (strength and conditioning coach) Travis Knight watch this show called Ted Lasso, and a big thing is that we've gotta be a goldfish and have a short memory," Gregg said after the game. "That's what he told me. I was like, 'Yeah, you're right.' Gotta forget about what happened in the first half and come out and keep shooting my shot. 

"I know it's gonna go in. I worked so hard on it and these guys gave me all the confidence in the world telling me to keep on shooting it. Kept letting it fly and finally made a couple. It was a good feeling."

Gregg, who finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds, drilled his first 3-pointer with 17:52 left in the game to give Gonzaga a 45-39 lead - its biggest lead of the game. It prompted a quick timeout from USF coach Chris Gerlufsen.

"We love it. That's what we need him to do," said Anton Watson. "I don't know why the (USF) coaches decided not to guard him on threes."

Gregg's second 3-pointer came two minutes later and extended Gonzaga's lead to 51-43. His final two 3-pointers were daggers, coming on back-to-back possessions to give the Zags a 63-47 lead with 13:33 left. The Dons never got closer than 11 points after that. 

"Benny gets us going no matter what he do," said Nolan Hickman. "He do all the dirty work. Just to get him going with the three-ball, I love it."

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Photo by Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports