SAN DIEGO — Gonzaga really had to earn a victory against San Diego.
David Stockton hit a runner in the lane with 55.9 seconds to go after Kelly Olynyk scored on consecutive possessions and No. 7 Gonzaga held off San Diego, 65-63, on Saturday night for its fourth straight win.
“We needed to make some plays down the stretch,” Olynyk said. “David Stockton came in and made some great plays getting into the lane and finding guys for layins. It was huge and then we just needed a couple of stops, and we finally got a couple.”
The Toreros still had a chance after Olynyk missed the front end of a one-and-one with 8 seconds to play, but Elias Harris blocked Ken Rancifer’s shot and the Toreros couldn’t get off another.
“We battled,” Harris said after Gonzaga was outrebounded 38-32. “It was really physical. It went back and forth. They gave us a hell of a time rebounding the ball. They pushed us around.”
Harris scored 18 points for Gonzaga (21-2 overall, 8-0 West Coast Conference), while Olynyk had 15 and Kentridge High product Gary Bell Jr. scored 13.
“We really need to go back on Monday and go back to boxing out with more heart, Harris said, “because that today was not acceptable.”
The Bulldogs have won nine straight against the Toreros and 31 of 33.
It’s disappointing, obviously, but I’m really proud of our team,” San Diego coach Bill Grier said.
Johnny Dee scored a game-high 21 points for USD (11-12, 4-4).
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