Gonzaga rolls over North Carolina in the Kennel, 94-81

SPOKANE, Wash. — No. 2 Gonzaga proved why few blue-blood, storied college basketball programs want to come to Spokane to play in the Kennel, as the Zags used hot shooting and points from Corey Kispert to roll to a 94-81 win.

They are now 12-1.

The game was more back and forth in the first half, but a 60%+ shooting mark in the second half was too much for the Tarheels to overcome.

Gonzaga was led by a red-hot Corey Kispert, who was burying shots from three, driving to the rim, getting put backs and dunks all night. He finished with 26 points.

Filip Petrusev added 20 points and four rebounds. Joel Ayayi had 11 points, but added 10 rebounds for a double-double.

In a historic battle inside the Kennel, the No. 2 Zags were looking to take advantage of a frustrated 6-4 North Carolina team.

Gonzaga was in control midway through the first half, building a lead as large as 14 points. Corey Kispert was the fuel in that run, hitting threes, finishing and-ones and making all the hustle plays. He had 16 points at halftime.

The Zags limited North Carolina to 40% shooting from two in the first half, and an abysmal 20% from three. On the offensive end, the Bulldogs were shooting 50% from 2 and 40% from three.

The Tarheels got most of their scoring from Garrison Brooks in the first half, he had 11 points and four rebounds.

FIlip Petrusev was forced into tough shots early on, and was only 3-8 from the field in the first half but had 9 points.

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