The Gonzaga Bulldogs delivered a commanding performance Saturday night, crushing the Pepperdine Waves 107-55 at Spokane’s McCarthey Athletic Center. Star guard Khalif Battle dominated with 24 points and five rebounds, propelling his team to their 20th win of the season. This victory solidifies Gonzaga’s stronghold in the West Coast Conference (11-3) while exposing Pepperdine’s defensive struggles.
Gonzaga seized control immediately, scoring within 18 seconds and never trailing. By halftime, the Bulldogs led 55-26, with Battle contributing 14 of his 24 points in the opening half. Teammate Nolan Hickman added 18 points and seven assists, including a stellar 4-for-6 performance from beyond the arc. Forward Michael Ajayi also excelled with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Pepperdine, now 10-17 overall, lacked answers defensively. Danilo Dozic (12 points), Boubacar Coulibaly (11 points), and Stefan Todorovic (10 points) tried to rally, but the Waves shot just 36% from the field. Gonzaga’s relentless offense closed the game with a 24-3 second-half run, reaching a staggering 51-point lead.
Key moments include:
- Battle’s back-to-back three-pointers in the first half
- Hickman’s 11-point surge after halftime
- Ajayi’s critical offensive rebounds during the decisive scoring run
When we play with that intensity from tip-off, we’re tough to stop, said Gonzaga’s head coach Mark Few postgame.
The Bulldogs aim to extend their momentum Wednesday against Washington State, while Pepperdine faces Oregon State Thursday. With March Madness approaching, Gonzaga’s balanced offense positions them as a threat in the NCAA Tournament.