Gonzaga Defeats Arizona State 88-80 at Home

In a closely contested home opener, sixth-ranked Gonzaga narrowly defeated Arizona State 88-80, following a dominant win over Baylor. Despite the Zags' initial struggles, particularly from their starting lineup, they managed to secure the victory thanks to a strong bench performance and timely plays down the stretch. Arizona State, led by coach Bobby Hurley, proved to be a formidable opponent, showcasing significant improvement from last season. Key contributions came from Khalif Battle, Ryan Nembhard, and Michael Ajayi, who dominated in rebounds and defensive plays. The game featured 15 lead changes and highlighted weaknesses in Gonzaga's defense that they must address ahead of tougher matchups against teams like Kentucky and UConn. Coach Mark Few emphasized the importance of closing games effectively, which they managed to do against a tough ASU squad.