Gonzaga Dominates Georgia in NCAA Tournament Opener

WICHITA, KS — Gonzaga University asserted its dominance against the University of Georgia in the first round of the men’s NCAA Tournament, overwhelming the Bulldogs with a decisive 83-37 victory on March 20, 2025.

From the opening moments of the matchup held at the INTRUST Bank Arena, Gonzaga displayed superior offensive prowess, jumping to a 13-0 lead. Georgia struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 14.3% from the field in the first half.

“We came out with a lot of energy and intensity,” said Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis, who contributed significantly with 16 points. “It’s the tournament; you have to play like it’s your last game.”

Gonzaga maintained a relentless attack throughout the game, finishing the first half with a commanding 42-17 advantage. The Zags capitalized on Georgia’s offensive struggles, forcing 10 turnovers and dominating the boards with 40 rebounds compared to Georgia’s 22.

“We just couldn’t get anything going offensively,” said Georgia head coach Mike White. “Gonzaga did a great job of pressuring us and taking us out of our game plan.”

In addition to Sallis’s performance, Gonzaga’s Drew Timme added 15 points and made critical plays in the paint, further stifling Georgia’s comeback attempts. The Zags concluded the matchup with a 33.3% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, while Georgia hit only one of its 21 attempted three-pointers.

As the game progressed, the disparity widened. By the end of the third quarter, Gonzaga held a 66-27 lead, forcing Georgia to take desperate shots that resulted in minimal scoring.

“It’s a tough way to start the tournament, but we have to regroup and move on,” said Georgia guard Kario Oquendo, who scored 10 points. “We need to learn from this and focus on the next game.”

Comparatively, Gonzaga’s performance showcased their ability to execute under pressure, an essential quality as they aim for a deep run in the tournament. With this victory, Gonzaga advances to face Creighton in the Round of 32.

The game marked a crucial clash in the battle of the Bulldogs, and Gonzaga emerged as a clear favorite moving forward in the tournament.