Full Breakdown
Gonzaga Survives Late Surge to Defeat San Diego 99-93
12/31/2025, 11:26:04 AM
Gonzaga's Narrow Victory
On December 30, 2025, the No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs secured a 99-93 victory over the San Diego Toreros at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, marking their 20th consecutive win against San Diego since 2014. Gonzaga improved to 14-1 overall and 2-0 in West Coast Conference (WCC) play, while San Diego fell to 6-8 and 1-1 in the conference.
Gonzaga initially built a significant lead, going up by as many as 21 points in the second half. However, the Bulldogs faced a late-game challenge as San Diego mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to just five points in the final moments. The game featured a total of 42 fouls and three technical fouls, contributing to a chaotic finish.
Key Performers
Jalen Warley was instrumental for Gonzaga, leading the team with a season-high 22 points and 14 rebounds, along with five assists and three steals. Tyon Grant-Foster added 18 points, while Braden Huff and Graham Ike contributed 14 and 11 points, respectively. Despite their offensive contributions, Ike struggled with foul trouble, finishing with nine rebounds but only 11 points.
For San Diego, Ty-Laur Johnson led the scoring with 21 points, supported by Juanse Gorosito with 16 points and Darrae Goodwin with 15 points. The Toreros' late-game surge was fueled by their aggressive full-court press, which forced Gonzaga into 15 turnovers, leading to 25 points for San Diego.
Game Dynamics
The game was characterized by Gonzaga's strong rebounding performance, outpacing San Diego 44-27 on the boards. However, the Bulldogs' inability to close out the game effectively raised concerns. They shot only 54% from the free-throw line, missing crucial shots in the final minutes that allowed San Diego to stay competitive.
Head coach Mark Few expressed dissatisfaction with his team's performance, particularly in the closing moments. "The goal is to win, so I congratulated them for that. Just the way we handled that last four minutes isn't going to be good enough to win this league or advance to where we want to advance," Few stated.
Looking Ahead
Gonzaga's next matchup is against Seattle University on January 7, 2026. The Bulldogs will need to address their late-game execution and free-throw shooting as they continue their WCC campaign. Meanwhile, San Diego will aim to build on their performance as they prepare for their upcoming game against San Francisco.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That it's not good enough,” — Mark Few, Head Coach, Gonzaga Bulldogs
Conclusion
Gonzaga's victory over San Diego highlighted both the team's strengths and areas needing improvement as they navigate the WCC season. The Bulldogs will look to refine their game as they aim for a strong finish and a favorable position in the NCAA Tournament.
