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NCAA Tournament 2017, Gonzaga vs Northwestern: Highlights, score and recap

By Brad Weiss

March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Isiah Brown (12) shoots against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Isiah Brown (12) shoots against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Northwestern made a game of it late, but Gonzaga was able to pull away with under two minutes left to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

In a tale of two halves, the Gonzaga Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday, defeating No. 8 Northwestern, 79-73. Gonzaga dominated in the first half, holding Northwestern to only 20 points, which was their season-low. The biggest issue with the Wildcats during the first 20 minutes was there inability to hit the three-point shot, as they went 1-11 from beyond the arc.

However, when the two teams came out of the locker rooms after halftime, the Wildcats took control of the game. During the first five minutes of the second half, the Wildcats went on a run, pulling to within 12 points. Gonzaga was able to put out the flame at that point, as Nigel Williams-Goss hit a three-pointer to put the Zags back up by 15.

Northwestern refused to go away, as Bryant McIntosh led a spirited effort until the final buzzer. Down six points with under 0:45 seconds left in the game, McIntosh missed a shot to make it a four-point game, and the Zags’ Killian Tillie made his two free throws after a foul. Gonzaga was able to hang on to win the game, and will now take on No. 4 West Virginia in West Region SweeT 16 action next week.

While Northwestern took the loss on Saturday, they have to be happy with where the program is headed. McIntosh is going to be back next season, and with a solid roster around him, expect head coach Chris Collins to have his team dancing once again.

Highlights

Three Stars

Nigel Williams-Goss

Williams-Goss not only led the way offensively for the Zags, but he was able to keep his team together when the Wildcats made their run during the second half. He hit big shot after big shot, and in the end, showed why he is the one who makes Gonzaga’s offense tick. The Zags are going to need him to continue to play the way he has through the first two rounds if they want to move on to the Elite Eight, and that should be the case against West Virginia.

Bryant McIntosh

McIntosh showed in the Round of 64 that he was up to the task to take on anybody on the big stage, and that continued on Saturday. McIntosh put the Wildcats on his back time after time, nearly winning the underdog to the upset over the No. 1 team in the region. The Wildcats played their hearts out in this one, and you can bet their junior guard will have their team back in the Big Dance next year.

Zach Collins

A legitimate NBA prospect, Zach Collins showed the world why he has had such a breakout season as a freshman for the Zags this year. The seven-footer came up huge for the Zags on Saturday, as star forward Przemek Karnowski battled foul trouble throughout. Collins dropped 14 points against the Wildcats, adding five rebounds and four blocks. Look for him to play an even bigger role against the Mountaineers in the Sweet Sixteen.

Next Game

The Zags will move on to the Sweet 16, where they will take on the West Virginia Mountaineers on Thursday, March 23. The game will take place inside the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

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