On Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. EST, a sold‑out Spokane Arena hosted a high‑stakes non‑conference matchup as No. 14 Gonzaga Bulldogs took on the LSU Tigers. The game, which had the Bulldogs favored by 6.5 points according to the betting line, ended in a one‑point upset, with LSU prevailing 81‑80.
The Yakima Herald noted that Gonzaga entered the contest with a 31‑4 overall record and a 27‑4 non‑conference mark in the 2025‑26 season, averaging 84.3 points per game last year. LSU, by contrast, came in at 15‑17 overall and 12‑1 against non‑conference foes, posting 81.4 points per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and 33.1% from three‑point range.
According to the detailed recap on Slipperstillfits.com, the first half was dominated by LSU’s defensive pressure, forcing Gonzaga’s guards into early foul trouble. LSU guard Donovan Dent tallied 16 points and four assists by halftime and finished the half with a step‑back three that gave the Tigers a two‑point lead. Gonzaga’s frontcourt struggled offensively, going 0‑for‑7 from three‑point range in the opening period.
In the second half Gonzaga rallied, with forward Braden Huff delivering a standout performance of 18 points and 13 rebounds on 8‑16 shooting. The Bulldogs outscored LSU 46‑28 in the paint and led for 29 of the 40 minutes, at one point holding a 13‑point advantage. However, LSU’s bench contributed 34 points, including 15 from Abdi Bashir Jr., and the Tigers capitalized on Gonzaga’s late‑game miscues. Dent’s decisive three‑pointer with 1.5 seconds left sealed the 81‑80 victory.
Bleacher Report highlighted Huff’s post‑game comment, “Limit them to one shot—it’s a different story and we’re a lot happier,” underscoring the Bulldogs’ frustration with the officiating and the narrow margin. The Tigers finished the night shooting efficiently, while Gonzaga shot 29.4% from three (5‑for‑17) and 64.3% from the free‑throw line (9‑for‑14). Despite the loss, the close contest provided Spokane fans with a thrilling early‑season showcase of top‑level college basketball.
Sources: yakimaherald.com, slipperstillfits.com, bleacherreport.com, slipperstillfits.com
