Batista, Morrison lead Gonzaga past Hawks

Nov 30th, -0001

Share this story

Spokane, WA (Sports Network) - J.P. Batista scored 32 points on 12-of-13 shooting and added 15 rebounds to lead eighth-ranked Gonzaga over Saint Joseph's, 102-94, at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Adam Morrison added 25 points for the Bulldogs, who won their 30th consecutive home game. Thanks to Washington's loss to Arizona earlier in the day, the Zags now own the nation's longest home winning streak.

Derek Raivio also reached double figures for the Zags with 19 points.

Abdulai Jalloh paced the Hawks (5-5), who lost for the third time in four games, with 27 points and seven assists. Chet Stachitas chipped in with 24 points for Saint Joseph's while Dwayne Lee had 13 and nine assists.

The plucky Hawks played Gonzaga tough. A Jalloh trey with 14:17 left in the game gave Saint Joseph's a 63-61 lead, its first advantage since 3-2.

The Bulldogs quickly restored order and managed to build a 78-72 advantage before a 7-0 Hawks spurt, capped by Pat Calathes' three from the left corner, gave Saint Joseph's a 79-78 lead with 6:07 remaining.

Gonzaga finally distanced itself from the determined Hawks with an 11-4 burst, featuring two Batista layups and seven free throws. The run gave the Bulldogs a 89-83 lead with 3:02 remaining.

The parade to the free throw line continued. Both teams drained four free throws on their next two possessions and the score stood at 93-87 with just 1:06 left.

Stachitas rained in a bomb to cut the lead to three, 93-90, with 48 ticks left.

Saint Joseph's pressured on the inbounds but fouled Morrison, who calmly deposited two free throws to make it a more manageable 95-90 with 41 seconds left.

A Jeremy Pargo steal and subsequent technical on the Hawks for delay of game clinched things for Gonzaga.

The Bulldogs took a 48-41 advantage into the half. Morrison paced Gonzaga with 15 on 5-of-10 shooting while Lee had 11 for the Hawks.

Game Notes

Ahmad Nivins added 11 points and eight rebounds for the Hawks...St. Joseph's was 15-of-32 from long range...In Saint Joseph's last visit to Spokane on December 31, 2002, the Hawks ended the Bulldogs 29-game home winning streak in The Kennel as Jameer Nelson scored 34 points including the game winner with 8 seconds remaining as Saint Joseph's won 79-78 in overtime.

GONZAGA STJOSEPHS