Gonzaga’s March Madness: Uneasy Start, Fortunate Second-Round Matchup
The Gonzaga Bulldogs moved past Kennesaw State in a late-night first-round NCAA Tournament game. The contest took place at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Game overview
Gonzaga entered the game 31-3 overall and 16-2 in the WCC. Kennesaw State arrived at 21-14 and 10-10 in C-USA.
The first half was slow offensively for both squads. Gonzaga closed the half on a 10-0 run, using a small-ball lineup without redshirt junior Braden Huff.
Key performances and numbers
Graduate forward Graham Ike led Gonzaga with 19 points. He shot 6-for-13 and made 7 of 8 free throws while adding eight rebounds and four turnovers.
Senior wing Jalen Warley contributed across the board. He finished with 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals and limited turnovers while managing a lingering quad issue.
Freshman Davis Fogle came off the bench for 17 points on 6-for-13 shooting. Freshman guard Mario Saint-Supery ran the offense and collected eight assists before fouling out late.
Graduate wing Tyon Grant-Foster supplied nine points, five rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes. Gonzaga dominated the glass, 45-34, which proved decisive.
Kennesaw State highlights
The Owls emphasize rebounding under coach Antoine Pettway. They entered the game averaging 40.1 rebounds per contest, ranked 18th nationally.
Junior forward Frankquon Sherman posted a double-double. He finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 32 minutes.
Shot profile and late-game issues
Gonzaga was near perfect from the free-throw line, making 20 of 23 attempts. The three-point shooting was a weakness, converting just 3 of 18 attempts in the Round of 64.
Foul trouble affected Gonzaga late. Fans and staff questioned a no-contact call that resulted in Saint-Supery fouling out.
Upset fallout and the next opponent
Earlier in the session, No. 11 Texas beat No. 6 BYU, 79-71, in Portland. Texas star AJ Dybantsa poured in 35 points on 11-for-25 shooting and was 12-for-12 at the line, with 10 rebounds.
Texas coach Sean Miller guided a team that began at the First Four in Dayton. The Longhorns entered the Gonzaga matchup having won two of their last three games.
Texas averages 83.2 points per game, tied for No. 29 nationally. Sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis has averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds across his two March games.
What matters next
Gonzaga will play Texas on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 4:10 p.m. PT on TBS/TruTV. The winner advances to the Sweet 16.
The Zags seek their 10th Sweet 16 appearance in 11 years. The program missed last season’s postseason and last lost a first-round game in 2008 to Davidson.
Factors to watch
Rebounding and interior matchups will be decisive. Gonzaga’s Ike and seven-foot sophomore Ismaila Diagne must handle Vokietaitis.
Guard play and three-point accuracy will also shape the next round. Free-throw reliability remains a clear strength for Gonzaga.
Coverage for Filmogaz.com. Reporter Arden Cravalho, a Gonzaga graduate, provided reporting from Portland.
