No. 12 Gonzaga kicked off the Players Era men's championship with an impressive 95-85 victory against No. 8 Alabama on Monday in Las Vegas. Displaying great energy on both sides of the court, the Bulldogs highlighted their offensive balance with multiple players contributing significantly.
Graham Ike led the charge with a strong showing, racking up 21 points and 11 rebounds. His physical presence in the paint provided crucial rebounds and timely scoring, helping to stabilize Gonzaga during Alabama's offensive bursts. Tyon Grant-Foster matched Ike's intensity, also netting 21 points and injecting vital energy into the team during key moments.
Braden Huff provided another significant boost, contributing 18 points with an effective 9-of-12 shooting performance. His ability to finish around the rim allowed Gonzaga to maintain control, particularly when their offense hit lulls. Steele Venters chipped in 12 points, all from four critical 3-pointers, putting pressure on Alabama’s defense while Mario Saint-Supery added 10 points, hitting 10 of his 11 free throws and dishing out six assists to facilitate offensive flow.
Alabama, currently ranked No. 8, displayed their own strengths, led by Labaron Philon Jr. who scored 29 points and provided seven assists. He sustained momentum for Alabama, while Amari Allen and Aiden Sherrell each added 14 points, and Aden Holloway contributed 13 key points, keeping the game competitive late.
The contest remained closely contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. Alabama surged ahead after a dynamic 10-0 run capped by London Jemison's 3-pointer. However, Gonzaga regained the upper hand, showcasing steady shooting and shrewd inside plays.
A pivotal moment came late when Grant-Foster executed a stunning alley-oop dunk from Ike to equalize the score at 71. Not long after, he intercepted a pass and finished with a fastbreak dunk that thrust Gonzaga into the lead, triggering an 11-0 run that shifted the game's momentum. This run ended with two free throws from Grant-Foster, widening their lead to 86-74, securing the win.
With their robust rebounding, Gonzaga dominated this aspect, grabbing 48 boards to Alabama's 36, which translated into 25 second-chance points. Their perseverance for additional possessions was particularly crucial in a tightly contested match.
Gonzaga also excelled in the paint, outscoring Alabama 52-42. Adam Miller, who didn’t score in the first half, quickly tallied seven points at the start of the second half, including a vital 3-pointer that extended Gonzaga’s lead to 60-51.
Alabama put up a fight, briefly reclaiming the lead when Holloway drained a corner three to make it 71-69, but Gonzaga quickly took command and maintained the lead for the remainder.
Next, Gonzaga will meet Maryland on Tuesday, while Alabama prepares to play UNLV.
With robust offense, solid defensive play, and harmonious teamwork, Gonzaga reinforced their reputation as one of the nation's elite teams.
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