The Gonzaga Bulldogs built an early double-digit lead behind a hot-shooting Kyle Wiltjer, and that proved too much for the Washington State Cougars to overcome in a 69-60 Zags win at Friel Court on Wednesday night.
Transfer 7'0 center Conor Clifford got the start for the Cougs alongside Josh Hawkinson in the frontcourt, perhaps to match Gonzaga's size. But Gonzaga's own 7-footer was a late scratch, and Hawkinson was charged with guarding Wiltjer. That didn't go well.
Wiltjer lit it up in the first 10 minutes, hitting his first four 3-pointers en route to an early 20 points.