Gonzaga dominated the second half, breaking away from Kansas with a 15-0 run to secure an 89-68 victory and continue their impressive streak of Sweet 16 appearances. Redshirt senior Dajuan Harris Jr. shined for the Jayhawks with a double-double of 10 points and 11 assists, matching his career-high in assists and setting a new record for assists in an NCAA Tournament game.
The Zags, seeded fifth with a 27-7 record, showcased their sharpshooting skills by hitting their first five 3-pointers in the second half. Nolan Hickman led the team with 17 points, while Graham Ike contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. Despite a strong effort from KU’s Hunter Dickinson, who scored 15 points, Gonzaga’s offensive prowess proved too much for the Jayhawks.
While the game started off as a thrilling matchup between two powerhouse teams, Kansas struggled with shooting and defense during Gonzaga’s decisive run. The Jayhawks missed 10 consecutive shots as Gonzaga pulled away, ultimately sealing the victory. Despite the loss, the game provided an exciting display of talent and competitiveness between the two respected programs.