SPOKANE, Wash. (Interstat) — In a game defined by resilience and a dramatic second-half surge, the Gonzaga Bulldogs outlasted the Seattle Redhawks 80-72 in overtime Friday night at a sold-out McCarthey Athletic Center.

The victory, played before 6,000 fans, improved Gonzaga to 15-1 on the season while handing Seattle its fourth loss against 12 wins. The game was a stark departure from pregame expectations, as Gonzaga entered as a heavy favorite but found itself in a fierce battle that required an extra period to decide.

Seattle controlled the tempo for much of the contest, leveraging sharp perimeter shooting and disruptive defense to build a lead. The Redhawks connected on a series of early three-pointers, with John Christofilis and Jun Seok Yeo finding success from beyond the arc. Their aggressive play helped them secure a 37-29 advantage at halftime, silencing the home crowd and putting the heavily favored Bulldogs on their heels.

Gonzaga emerged from the break with renewed purpose, methodically chipping away at the deficit. The Bulldogs’ interior duo of Braden Huff and Graham Ike began to impose their will, scoring consistently in the paint and drawing fouls. A key sequence saw Gonzaga tighten its defense, generating turnovers that fueled a transition attack and allowed them to close the gap.

The game’s pivotal moment arrived in the final minute of regulation. Trailing by two points, Gonzaga executed a critical defensive stop. With seconds remaining, Seattle had a chance to seal the game but a contested three-point attempt was blocked by Tyon Grant-Foster, preserving the 65-65 tie and forcing overtime.

The overtime period belonged entirely to Gonzaga. The Bulldogs opened with a 7-0 run, spearheaded by Huff and Grant-Foster, who combined for nine points in the extra frame. Gonzaga’s defense clamped down, holding Seattle to just two field goals in overtime while capitalizing at the free-throw line to pull away for the eight-point victory.

Braden Huff of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, was the game’s standout performer, leading all scorers with 28 points while adding 11 rebounds. His efficiency inside, coupled with several crucial baskets in overtime, cemented his role as the catalyst for the Bulldogs’ comeback. Graham Ike of Aurora, Colorado, provided a massive presence with 24 points and nine rebounds, and Tyon Grant-Foster of Kansas City, Kansas, contributed 19 points and five blocked shots, including the game-saving block at the end of regulation.

Seattle was led by point guard Brayden Maldonado of Anchorage, Alaska, who played 41 minutes and finished with 17 points and five assists. John Christofilis of Seattle added 12 points, all from three-point range, and Jun Seok Yeo of Seoul, South Korea, chipped in 10 points.

The game’s outcome defied the statistical projections, which heavily favored Gonzaga, and the point spread, as Seattle’s persistent effort ensured a much tighter contest than anticipated. The combined score of 152 points fell just under the pregame over/under line.

Gonzaga looks to continue its winning streak when it hosts Loyola Marymount on Sunday. Seattle, meanwhile, will aim to rebound quickly as it travels to face Saint Mary’s on Sunday. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in Seattle on Jan. 17.