SAN FRANCISCO — Top-ranked Gonzaga, which hoped to ride its high-flying offense to its first national championship, was stopped short of that goal with a 74-68 loss to No. 4-seeded Arkansas on Thursday night in a West regional semifinal.
With one star big man, Chet Holmgren, beset by foul trouble and the other, Drew Timme, hounded by Arkansas defenders, the Zags looked nothing like the offensive juggernaut that hummed with great efficiency through the regular season.
As their struggles intensified, the Zags pressed — fumbling passes, hurrying shots and wearing the frustration on their faces. When Timme missed a layup after being fouled, he slapped his hands together in anger, knowing how precious each point would be.