No. 8 Memphis edges Gonzaga in OT

Robert Dozier added 14 points and five boards, while Chris Douglas-Roberts contributed 13 points for the Tigers (23-3), winners of 15 straight games. Joey Hunt and Antonio Anderson each contributed 12 points, while Hunt scored six of his in overtime.

Derek Raivio notched a game-high 21 points for the Bulldogs (18-10), losers of two straight and three of four. Jeremy Pargo added 17 points and nine boards, David Pendergraft contributed 11 and four boards, and Abdullahi Kuso grabbed eight boards in the loss.

Hunt’s second three pointer of overtime put Memphis up 76-75 with 1:01 left in the extra session, but Dorsey followed by missing both from the line inside a minute to go on the Tigers’ ensuing trip down the court.

Kuso sent the Bulldogs up 77-76 with 14 seconds remaining after making both from the line, then Douglas-Roberts made an impossible shot in the lane while being fouled. Douglas-Roberts missed the ensuing free throw and Memphis was on top 78-77 with 5.6 left.

On the final possession, Pargo let go an open three, but hit the heel of the rim as time expired as Gonzaga lost back-to-back games in Spokane for the first time in 12 years.

The loss also snapped a six-game winning streak for Gonzaga at Spokane Arena, who are 11-4 all time using the downtown arena for their home court.

Down by 11 points, Gonzaga made a 15-7 run to get within three at 60-57 on Raivio’s pair from the line with 8:14 to play. After a Memphis free throw, Pendergraft’s three brought the Zags within 61-60, but the Tigers regained their composure and got some breathing room, taking a 67-62 lead on Dorsey’s two at the line.

However, Gonzaga reeled off five of the next seven points to get within 69-67 with 1:43 remaining. Off a Memphis miss on the next possession, Pargo’s turnaround jumper in the lane tied the game with 57 seconds in regulation.

Memphis missed a layup their next time down the court, and Gonzaga gained possession with 23.8 on the clock, but could not get off a final shot. Instead the ball fell into Dorsey’s hands and he called timeout with six-tenths of a second. Douglas-Roberts’ desperation heave off a screen from 30 feet hit the front of the rim and the game slipped into overtime.

Gonzaga’s only lead of the first half came at 8-7 on Matt Bouldin’s make with 3:39 played. Memphis went on a 7-2 run to lead 14-10 and did not let the Zags get close, eventually enjoying a 39-31 advantage at the break after Allen’s three-ball with 12 seconds left.

Memphis picked up where they left off in the second half with a devastating outside game. Anderson’s three 3:27 in gave the Tigers a 49-38 margin, and Doneal Mack sank another one for a 53-42 lead with just over five minutes gone.

Game Notes

Memphis has won two of the three meetings...Raivio has made 46 straight free throws, a West Coast Conference and Gonzaga school record...Rebounds were even with each side grabbing 37...Memphis finished 8-of-19 from beyond the arc and Gonzaga hit 6-of-12.