Written by Rob Goldberg at Bleacher Reports.com
Gonzaga is now one game away from history after beating South Carolina in the Final Four.
The Bulldogs overcame a late charge from the Gamecocks and survived for a 77-73 victory Saturday in Glendale, Arizona, in the program’s first-ever appearance in the national semifinals.
With Gonzaga up three points in the final seconds, a Bulldogs foul prevented the Gamecocks’ Sindarius Thornwell from tying it by sending him to the line for two free throws. Quality rebounding and free-throw shooting was then all the team needed to hold on for the hard-fought victory.
Nigel Williams-Goss was everywhere for the No. 1 seed, finishing with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds.
The 🔥 emoji was invented for Nigel Williams-Goss.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 1, 2017
Zach Collins also played a significant role on both ends of the court with 14 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks despite dealing with foul trouble. He and Przemek Karnowski (13 points and five rebounds) in the low post helped sway the game in their favor.
Sam Vecenie of Sporting News also credited the coaching job in the win:
Mark Few coached his ass off in that game, even down to perfecting the Foul Up 3. Not that it should be a surprise.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 2, 2017
Thornwell, who missed practice this week with the flu, had 15 points but struggled while shooting 4-of-12 from the field. Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports described the way he looked early:
Thornwell had been sick this week and may still be. Doesn’t look like he has his usual bounce.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 1, 2017
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