Gonzaga Looks to Extend Dominance in Rematch at Seattle

SEATTLE (Interstat) — The fourth-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs, boasting one of the nation’s most potent offenses, visit the Seattle Redhawks on Saturday in a West Coast Conference rematch just over two weeks after a tense overtime battle between the teams.

Gonzaga (18-1, 5-0 WCC) enters on a 12-game winning streak, including an 86-65 road rout of Washington State on Thursday. The Bulldogs’ lone loss came against then-UConn in November. Seattle (13-6, 2-3) snapped a three-game skid with a 75-64 home victory over San Diego on Thursday.

The Bulldogs won the first meeting 80-72 in overtime on Jan. 2 in Spokane, a game that showcased the teams’ contrasting styles. Gonzaga’s efficient, high-scoring attack was tested by Seattle’s persistent defense.

A key matchup will feature Gonzaga’s standout forward Graham Ike against Seattle’s backcourt leader Brayden Maldonado. Ike is averaging 22.1 points in conference play and is coming off a 23-point, 5-assist performance at Washington State. He scored 24 points in the first meeting with Seattle.

Maldonado, who played 41 minutes in the first Gonzaga game, finishing with 17 points and five assists, is the engine for the Redhawks. He led Seattle with 16 points and four assists in Thursday’s win.

Gonzaga leads the nation in field goal percentage (54.8%) and scoring margin (+24.7). Seattle, under third-year coach Chris Victor, has built its identity on defense, holding opponents to 40.2% shooting, but will face its toughest offensive test of the season.

The Bulldogs have won 22 of the last 23 meetings in the series. Seattle’s last home win against Gonzaga was in 1995, long before the Bulldogs’ rise to national prominence.

Saturday’s game at Key Arena tips off at 8 p.m. EST and will be televised on ESPN2. For Gonzaga, it’s another step in their pursuit of a 25th consecutive WCC regular-season title. For Seattle, it’s a prime opportunity to secure a program-defining victory and bolster its postseason resume.