Gonzaga Dominates Georgia in NCAA Tournament Opener

WICHITA, KS — The Gonzaga Bulldogs rolled to a commanding victory over the Georgia Bulldogs in their first-round matchup of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 20, 2025. The game, held at the INTRUST Bank Arena, saw Gonzaga showcase their offensive prowess, establishing a lead that Georgia struggled to narrow.

Gonzaga, seeded eighth in the Midwest Region, jumped out to a 13-0 lead and never looked back. The Bulldogs dominated throughout the first half, heading into halftime with a solid 27-5 advantage. Gonzaga’s efficient shooting helped them maintain momentum, while Georgia grappled with a dismal offense that saw them struggle to find the net, connecting on just 2 of their first 12 field goal attempts.

With only five minutes remaining in the first half, Gonzaga was already in the driver’s seat, expanding their lead to as much as 22 points. Michael Ajayi of Georgia was among those attempting to rally his team, but the efforts were in vain against Gonzaga’s defense.

Gonzaga’s strong first-half performance was led by Egor Demin, who topped the scoring chart with 11 points. The game marked a frustrating start for Georgia, whose offense looked stagnant, spending much of the half attempting to recover from Gonzaga’s early burst.

“We had a game plan, and we stuck to it,” said Gonzaga head coach Mark Few after the game. “The players executed and kept the pressure on them from the beginning.”

As the second half unfolded, Georgia attempted to mount a comeback, but their efforts fell flat. With six minutes remaining in the game, Georgia was still below the 30-point mark, consistently thwarted by Gonzaga’s relentless defense.

Gonzaga effectively capitalized on offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities, finishing the game with a rebounding edge of 12 to 10 compared to Georgia. Meanwhile, Georgia continued to struggle from the floor, shooting 27.3% in the second half.

The final score reflected Gonzaga’s dominance, showcasing a score of 68-42, which secured their advancement to the next round of the tournament. Gonzaga now moves on, anticipating a tougher match as the tournament progresses.

“This is just the beginning,” added Few. “We’re focused on the next challenge ahead.”