12th-ranked Gonzaga hosts Santa Clara, hopeful to start new home win streak

Feb. 2—Pregame

Gonzaga will want to make up for its last performance inside the McCarthey Athletic Center.

The Bulldogs host Santa Clara tonight at 8 p.m., in their first game at the Kennel since losing to Loyola Marymount on Jan. 19, which snapped the longest standing home win streak. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sport Network.

Gonzaga is a 13 1/2 -point favorite according to Vegas Insider. The 12th-ranked Bulldogs (18-4, 7-1 West Coast) escaped with a 81-76 win over the Broncos (16-7, 4-4) on Jan. 7 in Santa Clara.

The Broncos took a lead with under two minutes remaining, until Nolan Hickman made a go-ahead 3-pointer at the 1:16 mark.

The Zags will hope for a more comfortable result this time and are coming off a 82-67 win over Portland last Saturday. Julian Strawther scored 40 points in the win.

The Broncos fell to Pacific 95-89 in their lone game last week.

Gonzaga will need to avoid looking ahead to Saturday's game at No. 18 Saint Mary's, which will likely be for first place in the WCC.

Series history

Tonight's game marks the 100th time Gonzaga and Santa Clara have faced off on the hardwood, with the Zags holding a 69-30 all-time series lead.

The Bulldogs have won 25 straight and haven't lost at home to the Broncos since Feb. 12, 2007.

Team stats

Santa Clara (16-7, 4-4)

Gonzaga (17-4, 6-1)

Points

75.4

86.3

Points allowed

78.8

73.4

Field goal pct.

44.5

51.8

Rebounds

39.0

37.3

Assists

13.5

16.5

Blocks

3.6

3.1

Steals

6.0

16.5

Streak

Lost 2

Won 2

Individual leaders

POINTS

PPG

FG%

FT%

Brandin Podziemski (SCU)

14.8

41.9

79.0

Drew Timme (GU)

21.4

60.8

59.2

REBOUNDS

RPG

DRPG

ORPG

Brandin Podziemski (SCU)

8.2

6.2

2.0

Drew Timme (GU)

7.5

5.3

2.2

ASSISTS

APG

TOPG

MPG

Brandin Podziemski (SCU)

3.3

2.2

35.5

Nolan Hickman (GU)

3.5

1.6

28.7

Game preview

Key matchup: Santa Clara's Keshawn Justice in the midst of impressive scoring streak

Two players on Santa Clara's roster have scored in double figures in each of the Broncos' last five games. — Read more

Q&A: Bay Area reporter Steve Kroner on SCU's Podziemski, Gaels' Mahaney and stout defense

For more intel on the Broncos, who visit GU on Thursday, and the 18th-ranked Gaels, who entertain the Zags on Saturday, we turned to the San Francisco Chronicle's Steve Kroner. — Read more

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Gonzaga's Andrew Nembhard to participate in NBA Rising Stars game

Andrew Nembhard's successful rookie season has featured a winning 3-pointer over LeBron James and a 31-point effort against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors. — Read more

Gonzaga senior forward Drew Timme named to Wooden Award late season watch list

Gonzaga senior forward Drew Timme is on the Wooden Award's late season watch list for the third consecutive season. Timme on Monday was listed among 20 players in the running for the Wooden Award, presented annually to the nation's most outstanding player. — Read more

Coming off 40-point performance, Gonzaga's Julian Strawther named WCC Player of the Week

Normally it takes two solid performances to warrant West Coast Conference Player of the Week consideration. Or, in the case of Gonzaga's Julian Strawther, one 40-point eruption. — Read more

Zags Basketball Insiders Podcast (episode 2): An unforgettable game from Julian Strawther, and a home game against Santa Clara before Saturday's showdown at Saint Mary's

Julian Strawther couldn't miss on Saturday at Portland. — Read more